By: Trevor Jones
Exciting news from the Habaneros! The team is proud to announce the signing of Whitley Wischmeier, a talented first-year player hailing from {Indiana State}. Whitley brings both skill and energy to the team as she embarks on her professional career with the Habaneros. We can’t wait to see what she brings to the diamond this season!
I asked Whitley how it feels to join the Mankato Habaneros, and she expressed her excitement, saying she’s thrilled to be part of the defending champions. After speaking with several Habanero players, she’s eager to be surrounded by teammates who are driven to win and can’t wait to compete at such a high level.
Whitley also noted staying mentally positive throughout the year. Having a clear mental state in a sport like Softball is more important than some may think. Being mentally strong in softball is important because the game can be stressful, and players need to stay focused and positive. Mental toughness helps players recover quickly from mistakes while staying confident. It also helps them stay calm under pressure and make better decisions. Overall, mental strength is key to staying motivated and consistent, even when things aren’t going well.
Indiana State is where Whitley is playing her collegiate softball career. I asked Whitley what Indiana State means to her development.
“The new coaches at Indiana State have been extremely supportive. Every single one of us has been improving every week and I think their coaching styles have been the highest standard possible for every Indiana State player.”
Joining the Mankato Habaneros is no small task, high expectations and a winning pedigree has been established in Mankato. I asked Whitley what she is most looking forward to while playing in Mankato this summer. Whitley shared that she is excited to compete alongside players who are highly committed to the game of softball. She looks forward to learning more about the sport in the professional world and gaining valuable live at-bats.
Come see Whitley 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.
###
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.
