UMD softball prepares for 2025 season under new head coach
The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) softball team is gearing up to hit the turf for their first game of the 2025 season, this year with a new head coach at the helm.
Nat Wagner comes to UMD after two seasons as an assistant coach at the University St. Thomas, becoming the fifth Bulldog head coach in program history. Wagner takes over for Lynn Anderson, who led the Bulldogs for three seasons.
“So, we know how hard won those legacies are. It’s been a great year, which was getting in touch with the alums and connecting to that legacy. This is going pride in what we’re rolled out there in the field. So again, I feel really happy about how that identity’s evolved this year,” said Wagner.
UMD softball graduated eight seniors in 2024, even with new players and a new head coach, sophomore pitcher Maddy Walsh from Proctor says the team has found ways to grow closer and many players have stepped into new leadership positions.
“I think just as a team, as a whole, everyone really felt, with losing so many seniors last year, everyone needs to step up, take in new roles, new leadership, and just combine,” said Walsh.
“These are 20 athletes that I did not recruit. And every day, I got to pinch myself with how well that’s going. I think I’ve been blessed to inherit a really good group,” said Wagner.
The Bulldogs open their 2025 season on Saturday, February 1st as they participate in the St. Cloud Dome Invite, they will first take on Southwest Minnesota State at 11AM. Click here to view their full season schedule.