Former Western Nebraska Community College softball player Bella Coffman had a gigantic day for Bluefield State University when the former Cougar and Aurora, Colorado, native had a 7-RBI, 2 home run game against Winston-Salem State on April 6.

                Coffman finished the game going 4-for-4 with three runs scored, seven RBIs, two home runs, and two singles to help the Big Blue of Bluefield State capture a 12-6 win and split the doubleheader.

                Coffman said the 7-RBI game was a great feeling. The most RBIs she had at WNCC was four on May 10, 2021, against McCook Community College.

                “It was a great feeling. I went up to the plate to do a job and help my team win the ball game,” Coffman said. “This was probably my top game of the season so far and I’m excited to keep progressing.”

                So far this season, Coffman is batting .294 for the Big Blue with five home runs and 14 RBIs. Coffman said this has been a challenging year with their young team, but they are starting to put things together NCAA Division II school in West Virginia. Bluefield State is 5-26 on the season so far.

                “We have had our challenges this year and we have a very young team. We are finally starting to work together and get things done,” she said. “I stepped into a different role here coming off of an injury, but I have learned through helping others with my experiences. Applying what I learned from Katelyn Groves to help myself and others has gotten me through this season. I have never been more grateful to play softball in my life than I have this year.”

                What Coffman did on April 5 was something that really helped her. She said, “The key for me was to stay focused on my teammates and do everything I could to contribute for us to get a win.”

                Coffman has been a utility player for Bluefield this season, seeing time at third base as well as leftfield. She said her time at WNCC the past two seasons has really helped her game on and off the field.

                “I am thankful that I am able to play softball at the Division II level,” she said. “I would say that Western Nebraska prepared me to play at this level and excel. This experience is very different coming to a new team, but I have enjoyed meeting new people and working together to win.”

                While Coffman is over 3,000 miles from home, her personal best day was witnessed by her family that made the 3,300 mile trip from Denver to West Virginia to watch her play. She said it was great to see them in the stands.

                “My parents have made the trip a few times, but it was great to have them here,” she said. “They love softball just like I do and I was glad they got to watch me play.”

                While her Bluefield team is slowing coming together, she is just hoping to keep getting better through the rest of the season.

                “My goal is to keep pushing myself and to compete every day,” she said. “I want to play to the best of my ability and I know I still have of a lot of work to put in. I want to finish this year on a good note and I hope we can keep producing wins.”
                Coffman, who is majoring in criminal justice, said she is enjoying being on the east coast just because she gets to see new places and meet new people.

                “I have never spent much time on the east coast but I came here to experience something new,” she said. “I have had a great time exploring new states and meeting new people. I am glad I came here but I do miss Colorado of course.”

                Coffman said she has experienced so many new things in her one year on the east coast and she will cherish those memories forever.

                “We were able to play many games in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and a few other places. It was great to see all these new places and compete with different players across the country,” she said. “My favorite memory this year was going to Washington D.C. and having a crab dinner at my teammate Maggie’s house. It was a great spring break trip.”

                She does, however, stay in contact with her former WNCC teammates as well as making those new friendships.

                “It has been a great experience meeting new people here in West Virginia. I love the girls on my team now. I have made several great friend here,” Coffman said. “With that being said, the bond between myself and the girls at WNCC is irreplaceable. I talk with all of my best friends from WNCC several times a week. I am glad that we have all stayed in touch.”

                One that that she stays in contact with almost every day is Mackenzie Bakel, who is playing at Christian Brothers University, which is located in Tennessee. The two are separated by about a 9-hour drive and a couple states.

                “Mackenzie Bakel is one of my best friends and I talk with her just about every day,” she said. “We play in different conferences and don’t get to play each other, but I try to watch her games online when I can. She was my leader at WNCC and is doing a great job leading her team at Christian Brothers University.”

                Coffman’s advice to the younger athletes is play with purpose and look at playing at a junior college because those two years were beneficial to her.

                “My advice is to play with purpose and to have a purpose in everything you do on and off the field,” she said. “I always wanted to play college softball and I wouldn’t be where I am without the coaches in my life who have pushed me. It doesn’t matter what role you have on any team as long as you give it 100%. These roles will help you develop and learn the game more than you will ever know.

                “WNCC made me the person and player that I am today. I am forever grateful for my experience at WNCC. I had the best coaches and the best teammates to make me the best player I can be. I would encourage players to go to a JUCO and learn what it’s like to be pushed. JUCO was an amazing experience because it prepared me for anything and pushed me to success.”

                In the meantime, Coffman is enjoying this season after coming off an ACL injury and realizing that she still can play the game.

                “I am glad that I continued my softball career and that I am able to play softball again,” she said. “I came off of an ACL injury and wasn’t sure how this year was going to go. I am just happy to be playing again and building on my knowledge of the game. I will continue to keep working and get better every day. I intend to enjoy these next few years playing softball and getting my bachelor’s degree.”