Hemmelgarn to continue softball career at Capital

Thursday, January 5th, 2023

By Gary R. Rasberry

Photo by Gary R. Rasberry/The Daily Standard

Minster senior Lyndi Hemmelgarn, seated center, will attend Capital University next season and play softball for the Comets. Seated with Lyndi are her father – and Minster head softball coach – Robb Hemmelgarn and mother Jaime Hemmelgarn. Standing are sister Laney Hemmelgarn and brother Jace Hemmelgarn.

MINSTER – Lyndi Hemmelgarn found the perfect school to continue her education and softball career in central Ohio.

The Minster senior shortstop will continue her play on the diamond next season at NCAA Division III Capital in the Columbus area.

“I wanted to go to college to play softball and wanted to go the Columbus area,” said Hemmelgarn, who will major in nursing. “Capital was one of the first places I (visited). I fell in love with their campus. Loved everything about it. That brought me to the school.”

The Comets, which have recruited local players in the past, went 5-27 last season and 1-17 in the Ohio Athletic Conference.

“(Capital coach Andrew Nagy) is one of the nicest people I’ve met,” said Hemmelgarn. “She’s so encouraging. It’s such a cool program. I researched the program and what they do.”

Hemmelgarn was a key cog in the Wildcats reaching the district semifinals last season. Hemmelgarn, the regular starter at shortstop, batted .394 with 30 runs scored, 15 runs batted in and 11 doubles, as the Wildcats finished 19-7 and 6-1 in the Midwest Athletic Conference, only losing to conference champ Coldwater in the league schedule, before falling to Fort Recovery in the Division IV district semifinals at Wapakoneta. Hemmelgarn was named a first team All-MAC selection.

“There’s so many things I’ve learned from (the Minster) to take with me (to Capital),” said Hemmelgarn. “Not just softball skills, but overall to be a good person and athlete. I’m looking to take my leadership and everything I’ve been taught by my coaches and teammates.”