Latest News

Published On: January 29th, 2025

Stroy by: Trevor Jones

The Mankato Habaneros are excited to welcome Skylinn Pogue to the team for her first season with the club! A dynamic and driven athlete, Skylinn is currently playing at the {University of Iowa}, where she’s continuing to build on her skills both on and off the field.  Skylinn brings a competitive edge and a positive energy that will no doubt make an impact on the Habaneros this season. With a bright future ahead of her, the Habaneros are thrilled to see how Skylinn’s journey unfolds as part of the team. Keep an eye on this rising star!  

I had the chance to speak with Skylinn about the upcoming season and how she plans to approach the mental side of the game. She shared that she works with a sports psychologist at the University of Iowa, focusing on breathing exercises and muscle relaxation techniques. Pogue also noted that she loves staying loose, saying: 

“I’m the type of teammate that stays loose and likes to just have fun with my teammates and talk with them because it really keeps me loose, and I always look forward to just having fun.” 

This attitude is key to strengthening and striving for constant successful play in Softball. As mentioned earlier, Skylinn is a Division I athlete at the University of Iowa—no small feat. I asked her what playing in the Big Ten means to her and how it will help prepare her for the Habaneros. 

Pogue explained that to be the best, you have to play against the best. She also shared that her team has been preparing for months for this season and that she loves the Big Ten for its incredible players and strong sportsmanship. 

When I asked Skylinn about one of her personal goals for the upcoming Habanero season, she shared that she’s focused on being the best teammate she can be—staying locked in with her teammates and constantly keeping morale high for the team. 

Overall, Skylinn will be an amazing addition to the Habaneros, high energy player and an amazing teammate. Since being at Iowa Skylinn has logged 66 starts at catcher in 71 total games. While being a mainstay on the field also eclipsed a .979 fielding percentage in 2024 and a .986 in 2023. Quite impressive!  

Come see Skylinn and the Habaneros play 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.