By Steve Carpenter
At halftime of a Blue Dragon football game last fall, the Hutchinson Community College softball team was honored after winning the 2024 Region 6 championship and earning the program's first berth to the NJCAA World Series last spring.
When the incoming players saw the championship rings the returning players received, head coach Jaime Rose heard the group of new players say "we are going back" to the World Series.
The 2025 Blue Dragons open the 2025 season on Saturday when Hutchinson travels to Western Oklahoma State at 12 and 2 p.m. in Altus, Oklahoma. The games will be streamed on Western Oklahoma State's YouTube channel.
BLUE DRAGON SOFTBALL
No. 22 Hutchinson (0-0) at Western Oklahoma State (0-0)
2025 Season Opener
When: Saturday, February 1, 2025
Where: Pioneer Softball Field, Altus, OK
Times: 12 and 2 p.m.
Video: WOSC YouTube Channel
X: @bluedragonsport
Beginning her 21st season in the Blue Dragon dugout, Rose has four starting position players, six overall position players and one starting pitcher returning from last season's Region 6 championship team that won a record total of games, going 47-12 in 2024.
"We don't have a ton of returning experience back, said Rose, who is 618-360 in 20 seasons at Hutchinson and 656-418 in 22 total seasons as a head coach. "But all of our returning players and incoming freshmen are hungry to get back to the World Series."
The Blue Dragons open the 2025 season ranked No. 22 in the NJCAA Division I preseason rankings and were picked to finish second in the Jayhawk Conference preseason coaches' poll.
Leading the list of returning players is shortstop Bailey Backhaus, who set a single-season Blue Dragon record for hits with 104 total hits in 2024. She hit .479 with a .517 on-base percentage. She scored 77 runs and stole 25 bases.
Morgan Tomlinson is the Blue Dragons' lone returning pitcher. Tomlinson as pivotal for the Dragons as a freshman, posting a 16-3 record with a 3.08 earned-run average. Over 88 2-3 innings, opposing teams hit only .273 against Tomlinson, who had 49 strikeouts.
"I tell people all the time that we don't make it to the World Series last year without Morgan," Rose said. "She's going to be the anchor to our pitching staff."
Also back for the Dragons this season is first baseman Brooke Backhaus, who is Bailey's sister. Brooke hit .376 with 68 total hits, 16 doubles, three home runs and 50 RBIs. Left fielder Brie Brawner hit .351 last season with 54 runs scored and 37 RBIs.
Third-year sophomore Annie Kealey hit .370 with five home runs and 42 RBIs. Emily Dice hit .526 and scored 15 runs and stole eight bases as primarily a pinch runner. Haley Kruger hit .385 in 19 games with seven RBIs.
"All those kids have worked hard and have earned opportunities to start," Rose said. "Haley and Emily both had great falls. They are all ready to show us what they can do."
The Blue Dragon newcomers consist of eight freshmen and one transfer player.
"The freshmen are used to winning," Rose said. "They all come from winning programs and winning club programs. They have competing every day since they arrived. They just bring that mentality to our program."
Freshmen Tailor Golly and Addison Lutz are Hutchinson's new catchers.
"They manage the pitching staff well and both are capable of doing a great job back there," Rose said.
Rose said the core group of infielders are versatile.
Bailey Backhaus will be the primary shortstop. Dice. Brooke Backhaus will likely play either first base or second base. Dice will see time at mostly second and third and can fill in at shortstop. Haley Kruger can play either corner infield position and Brawner is slated to play some in the infield as well.
Brawner will start on Saturday in left field. Kaibryn Kruger will get the start in center field and Gabby Stauffer will open in right field. Lilian Sapp, a transfer from Arkansas Tech will also figure into the outfield.
Three freshman pitchers will bolster the staff in the circle. Mia Williams, Aubree Thomas and Jessica Schmidt join Tomlinson on the staff.
"Pitching is definitely be by committee this season," Rose said. "All four of them are going to be ready each and every game."
The Blue Dragons will open a much deeper Jayhawk Conference on February 26 against Pratt at Fun Valley. Hutchinson went 28-4 in league play last season and finished second.
Saturday's opponent, Western Oklahoma State, was 23-24 last season.
Potential frigid weather has altered what would have been the 2025 home opener next weekend. The Blue Dragons will not be at home next weekend, but is now scheduled to play Iowa Western at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. in Chanute on February 8. Hutchinson's new scheduled home opener will be February 13 at 2 and 4 p.m. against Crowder College.