By: Trevor Jones
Stepping up to the plate with power, precision, and speed, Joscelyn Bennett has been a force to reckon with this season for {Bryant & Stratton College}. Sporting an impressive .452 batting average, Bennett consistently delivers at the plate, racking up 8 home runs and 43 RBIs, a testament to her ability to produce in clutch moments. But she doesn’t just bring power, her 14 stolen bases showcase her quickness and aggressive baserunning, making her a dual threat every time she’s on the field. Whether it’s driving in runs or swiping bags, Joscelyn Bennett continues to elevate her game and ignite her team with every opportunity.
Bennett returns this season from last year’s defending champion Habaneros. I asked her what it means to have a target on their backs. How does a team manage that level of success while staying grounded? Bennett shared that being a champion is more of a label to her. Achievements come and go, and while being the first Northwoods League Softball champion is a cool milestone, it’s not something she lets define the team.
Bennett attends Bryant & Stratton College, an NJCAA collegiate softball program, and is the only NJCAA player on the Mankato Habaneros roster. I asked her what she hopes to develop most for the upcoming Habaneros season. Bennett said she wants to grow as a leader, especially in setting an example for the younger girls who might be watching them play. She recalled how much it meant to her as a kid to watch older softball players compete. Bennett hails from Rockton, IL, and is a graduate of Hononegah High School.
I asked Bennett what she wants her new teammates this summer to know about her. She said she hopes to take on a leadership role within the team. Regardless of wins or losses, always having your teammates’ backs is a big part of Bennett’s mindset. She believes that staying positive is a key ingredient to success in softball.
Come see Joscelyn Bennett 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.
