UMD Bulldogs "ALLETE" Moments: Competition
Throughout this year, UMD Athletics is partnering with Minnesota Power, ALLETE to highlight the Bulldogs accomplishments in the 3 C's: Classroom, Competition, Community.
University of Minnesota Duluth senior infielder Nicole Schmitt has been selected to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II First Team All-Central Region this afternoon.
Schmitt is the 16th player in program history to be bestowed an NFCA All-Region member, and the 10th as a first team distinction. She joins former teammate Lauren Dixon -- a 2024 second team pick -- as the latest Bulldogs to nab regional accolades, doing so back-to-back seasons. Schmitt is the first Bulldog to acclaim first team honors since Duluth native Tyra Kerr gathered consecutive awards in 2011 and 2012.
The native of Verona, Wis. showcased one of the best individual performances the program has witnessed. The second baseman smashed four single-season program records as she holds the program records for home runs (18), RBI (69), total bases (148), and slugging percentage (.813). Named to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference First Team already for a third time in her career, she was named UMD's Outstanding Senior Female Athlete of the Year and the NSIC Softball Outstanding Senior of the Year. The 2025 NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award Winner is nationally ranked in Division II categories in home runs (18; 4th), RBIs (69; 5th), total bases (148; 7th) runs scored (60; 13th), hits (79; 17th), slugging (.813; 20th), batting average (.434; 36th), on-base (.510; 41st).
Schmitt paced the Bulldogs at the plate and was one of only two seniors on the squad that saw the Bulldogs go 39-17 and make it to the NSIC Postseason Semifinals in head coach Nat Wagner's first season at the helm.
With her all-region selection, Schmitt will now be in contention to receive the Bulldogs' first honorary citation of All-American since 2018. The 2025 NFCA Division II All-America teams will be announced on Wednesday, May 21 at the NCAA Division II Championship Banquet in Chattanooga, Tenn.
About Minnesota Power, ALLETE:
Our bold vision centers on our commitment to climate, customers and communities. We're a clean-energy leader under our EnergyForward strategy, already delivering 50% renewable energy ahead of all other Minnesota utilities. Now we're doubling down on that with a vision to deliver 100% carbon-free energy to customers reliably and affordably by 2050. Learn more at: https://www.mnpower.com/CarbonFreeEnergyVision
