How much should have been expected? The team had some experience but had experienced little scoreboard success during the previous year’s two-win season. One senior had no recent experience, but had batted over .400 as a sophomore. After 15 losses the previous spring, the recent 2023 Houston softball team achieved 15 wins (15-5), a more-than-impressive turnaround. The senior, Olivia Beckman, was not only All-Southeast Conference but also one of only 14 players named First Team All-State Softball for Class A. She then closed her high school career as one of only 22 Class A players in the state selected to play in the Senior All-Star Softball Games at Mankato. Beckman was not only Academic All-Conference but also Academic All-State, one of the most prestigious high school honors in Minnesota.
Despite her closing acclaim, the journey was one of alternating success and frustration. Beckman had become a varsity starter as an eighth grader at the critical catcher position. After that promising campaign in 2019, her freshman season (2020) – along with everyone else in the state – was lost to COVID. That pandemic layoff made everyone eager to get back on the diamond in 2021, and Beckman was back behind the plate while also batting about .400. But her junior season was not to be. Before bats and gloves were unpacked for 2022 softball, Beckman sustained a basketball injury that not only cut short her basketball season but also wiped out another softball season. “Out” is a familiar softball term, but being “out” of action during both her freshman and junior seasons was neither expected, familiar or enjoyed. But it would be endured and eventually overcome.
Beckman was quick to recall March 9, 2022 – the day of her knee surgery (ACL and meniscus), to be followed by eight months of rehabilitation. She and her crutches made it to a few softball games, but she had her own physical schedule. At first, there were weekly trips and later every-other-week to La Crosse for physical therapy. But in between were daily stretching and exercises at home. Her only return to normalcy that summer was being able to show pigs at the fair. After that painstaking regimen of physical rehabilitation, the dedicated athlete was finally cleared in November for limited preseason basketball practice.
As a senior, Beckman was back on the basketball court as part of the primary rotation. But injury can be a challenge mentally as well as physically. Wearing a knee brace, she said she did go all-out on that knee at times, but never stopped thinking about a possible reinjury. As a basketball spectator that winter, softball coach Josh Swenson, was aware of her hesitation as well. When softball season came, what should be expected both physically and mentally?
However, after an injury-free senior basketball season, Beckman said she had regained confidence in her physical capability. But with the endless up and down, standing and crouching required to play behind the plate, the catcher position was a thing of the past. She said the knee was no problem while playing in the infield. Pivoting while batting was only a brief concern; the knee held up well.
It did not take long for the season to take shape. After three games in 2023, the Hurricanes were 3-0, more wins that the entire 2022 season. In each of those three contests, Beckman had two base hits, all hit with authority. “She stepped right in and was an instant leader and performed all season,” said Coach Swenson. “She was near the top in the state in batting.”
Beckman had a Hurricane-high .516 batting average while also leading Houston with 33 hits, 30 runs batted in and 11 extra-base hits (9 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run). Unusual for a left-handed thrower, she played most often on the left side of the infield at third base and shortstop. With some stints at first base, Beckman was prepared to play that position without an error in the All-Star Games. “Super fun,” she said about the honor of being able to play with the best in the state. “I was nervous going in, but we had good coaching.” She expressed gratitude for the many people who traveled from Houston to watch her play. Her team won both games that day, aided by her batting .333 (1 for 3).
Beckman was deserving of the attention, especially since her example and leadership was also evident in the classroom. Academic All-State recognizes graduating seniors on the section playoff roster with a 3.80 cumulative grade point average over the course of their high school career. Beckman, the class president and salutatorian, had a 3.97 GPA. The Houston team followed suit with the state Silver Award for teams with a GPA between 3.5 and 3.75.
It had been up and down, in and out of action, but perseverance and talent prevailed. March 9 surgery and COVID cancellation will not be forgotten but neither will earning a starting nod as an eighth grader, a 15-5 All-State senior season and playing in front of family and friends at the Minnesota All-Star Games.
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