Sophomore player Peyton Bennett has quickly become a driving force for Yellowjacket softball. After earning Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year honors in 2025, she continues to make her mark this season.
Bennett hails from Harrisburg South Dakota, where she began playing softball in second grade. She started in a recreational league before joining the Renegades, one of the top club programs in the state. It was there that she realized she wanted to compete at the collegiate level. Head coach Melissa Fracker discovered Bennett’s talent at a tournament and later recruited her to UW-Superior.
Following her standout freshman season, in which she posted a .421 batting average and a .857 in the field, Bennett entered this year focused on enjoying the game rather than trying to exceed expectations. “It’s going to be hard to outdo myself, but I just kind of realized, now it’s time to have fun,” Bennett said. “Last year, I came into it with really no expectations, and then I ended up doing great because I didn’t put too much pressure on myself.”
Her growth has been especially noticeable on defense. Bennett said she felt nervous in the field as a freshman but has since gained confidence. “Last year I was very nervous on the field. I was like, ‘oh no, they might hit the ball to me.’ This year, I’m like, ‘hit the ball to me,’” she said. That improvement is evident as she finished the regular season with a .977 fielding percentage.
Fracker pointed to Bennett’s attitude and passion as defining traits. “That type of competitiveness is not something that can be taught, and that as well as her passion for the game is clear to anyone that has a chance to watch her play,” she said.
Apart from statistics, Bennett has developed into a leader. “She has grown even more as a leader this year, finally feeling comfortable as a sophomore to set the pace of practice, picking up teammates when necessary, and all around being the player people look to on and off the field,” Fracker said.
Off the field, Bennett has found a better balance as a student-athlete. She is involved in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and is majoring in legal studies, where she has also been exploring opportunities with the university’s pre-law society. She said those experiences have helped her build stronger connections on campus. “Last year I felt like softball was kind of all I had,” Bennett said. “This year has been a lot more fun. I have a lot more friends.”
Bennett said her parents motivate her to persevere. “I feel happy when I’m successful because they’re happy,” she said. “So, I’m making them proud.” As she continues to establish herself within the UWS community, her impact is expected to continue growing. “Peyton is poised for a wonderful career at UWS and will do spectacular things when she graduates,” Fracker said.
