The Mankato Habaneros are back and hotter than ever, ready to defend their title as league champions! Leading the charge is their leader, Sailor Hall {Minnesota State University, Mankato}. Hall helped propel the team to victory last season on the mound and at the plate. Hall has a very powerful bat posting an impressive .390 average with 36 RBI’s and a team leading 13 doubles. Looking to excel off of this performance I had the pleasure of asking Sailor Hall if there was any added pressure going into this year, knowing the Habaneros are the defending champions and if it felt like a target was on their backs.
“There is more pressure knowing that we finished first last year,” Hall said, “But I think we can use this motivation to move forward and make team strides. Knowing our potential, we as a team will be able to hold ourselves to that championship standard.”
I asked Hall if there were any specifics in her game that she would like to improve on in the upcoming Habanero season.
“Yeah, definitely. One thing I’m focusing on is being able to switch between pitching, fielding, and batting without letting one aspect affect the others. It’s important for me to maintain consistency throughout the season and continuing to be confident going into every situation no matter what is at hand.”
Speaking of consistency, Hall is a hallmark of being an all-around consistent player posting impressive numbers on the mound as well. Logging 54.2 IP with a 3.59 ERA and a team leading 4.87 K/7.
While asking Hall if there were any specific teams, she looked forward to playing this year she said,
“No, I enjoy playing at all the different parks for various reasons. Some teams have more competitive bats versus pitching, but I think every team will be drastically different compared to last year.”
Hall noted that the NWLS is a developmental league and every year the league changes. Lookout for Sailor Hall this year and she looks to return as a consistent force in the Mankato Habaneros lineup.
Join us at ISG Field for the season kickoff on June 12th as the Habaneros faceoff against the Minot Honeybees at 6:35pm.
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Leveraging the 31-year success of the Northwoods League, the first for-profit Summer Collegiate Baseball League, Northwoods League Softball (NWLS) is the first for-profit Women’s Summer Collegiate Softball League in the Upper Midwest entering its second season in the summer of 2025. The purpose of the League is to provide an opportunity for players to develop for their college, Olympic and future professional play. Teams will be promoted similar to minor league baseball teams, playing games in front of fans in a fun, friendly, family-oriented environment. League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com), ESPN+, Women’s Sports Network, and the Northwoods League Network.
