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Gaylord softball dealing with changing roster, expectations in 2026
TL;DR
The Gaylord softball program, after winning back-to-back state championships in 2023 and 2024, faces a roster change in 2026. New players will strive to maintain the team's high standards and legacy.
Key points
- Gaylord softball won state championships in 2023 and 2024
- Team has a 172-19 record over five seasons
- Set MHSAA record for home runs in 2023 and 2024
- Eight players are currently on college softball rosters
- New team faces challenges in maintaining high standards
GAYLORD ― The Gaylord softball program has built quite a name for itself over the past five seasons.
Winning back-to-back state championships in 2023 and 2024 made it clear across the state, but those around Northern Michigan had been well aware of the juggernaut the GHS team was becoming. The achievements they left behind tell the story: a 172-19 record over five seasons, the top two seasons in home runs hit by a team in MHSAA history (73 HR in 2023, 72 in 2024) and eight current players on college softball rosters.
Now, a relatively new group will fill attempt to fill those large shoes (or cleats) left behind, and while the coaching staff is not lowering the standard, the team understands that nothing will come easy just because of the name on the front of their jersey.
"I tell the girls that even though we're the Gaylord softball program, we're not the teams that have been here before," said senior Nora Bethuy. "We're going to have to work hard for every single thing we get."
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Gaylord Blue Devils softball 2026
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Photos, Gaylord vs. Boyne City softball at Waterfront Field of Dreams
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
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Gaylord softball dealing with changing roster, expectations in 2026
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Last season: 24-8, Advanced to Division 2 regional finals (lost 10-0 to Escanaba).
Key departures: Aubrey Jones, Kennedy Wangler, Jenna Sircely.
Key returners: Nora Bethuy, Makayala Kozlowski, Lily Ryckman-Hall.
With a player like Aubrey Jones on the roster, a state championship was always the ceiling for the GHS softball team.
There was certainly more that went into back-to-back state titles than one dominant player, but it was players like Jones, her sister Jayden, and other standouts like Alexis Shepherd, Alexis Kozlowski and others down the lineup that made Gaylord the most feared softball team in the state, regardless of division.
Slowly but surely, those key players have graduated and moved on. The roster now only features two players from the state-title-winning rosters and only one starter from either title game (senior Nora Bethuy).
That may change outside expectations, but it won't affect how the coaching staff views their team or the standard they hold them to.
"We're not lowering the bar for them," coach Bill Bethuy said. "The expectations are still here, and we're going to have to work hard to get there."
Gaylord softball visited Boyne City on Friday, April 17 at the Waterfront Field of Dreams in Boyne City, Mich.
Seniors Nora Bethuy, Makayla Kozlowski and Lily Ryckman Hall will be key to GHS reaching its larger goals. They've seen the level of commitment it took to reach the mountaintop back in 2023 and 2024 and bring that college-level talent that people expect from the GHS lineup.
This year, a state title may be a bit far out of reach, but it'll be up to this group to prove the ceiling is still high for the Blue Devils' program.
Remaining schedule
Saturday, April 25 at Dow Invite
Tuesday, April 28 vs. Sault Area
Wednesday, April 29 vs. TC St. Francis
Wednesday, May 6 at Alpena
Saturday, May 9 vs. TBD
Tuesday, May 12 at Petoskey
Thursday, May 14 at Shepherd
Tuesday, May 19 vs. Cadillac
Wednesday, May 20 vs. Kalkaska
Saturday, May 23 vs. TBD
Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at Djespersen@gaylordheraldtimes.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Gaylord high school softball 2026 season preview
Q&A
What achievements has the Gaylord softball program accomplished?
The Gaylord softball program has a 172-19 record over five seasons and won back-to-back state championships in 2023 and 2024.
How many home runs did Gaylord softball hit in 2023 and 2024?
The team hit 73 home runs in 2023 and 72 home runs in 2024, marking the top two seasons in MHSAA history.
What challenges does the new Gaylord softball team face in 2026?
The new team must work hard to meet the high expectations set by previous championship teams and understand they are starting fresh.
How many players from Gaylord softball are currently on college rosters?
There are eight current players from the Gaylord softball program on college softball rosters.
