On February 13, Raiders softball star Jennifer Boeve was named American State Bank Female Athlete of the Week. The senior from Hastings, Nebraska has had a phenomenal year, landing second on the team in batting average with a .341 and tied for second in runs batted in with 11. Boeve has helped lead the Raiders softball team to a 12-0 start and has been very influential in their success.
Boeve was a key part in the Raiders 4-0 stand at the Dordt Dome Classic, held February 10 and 11. In the first game against Mount Mercy, she went 1-2 from the plate, with that hit being a triple, another stat in which she is second on the team.
Later in the day, the Raiders played game two of a doubleheader against Mount Mercy, Boeve going 3-5 and batting in two of the Raiders eleven total runs. The next day, the Raiders played the nationally ranked Grand View team, who they defeated 11-2. Boeve was an integral part of the Raiders victory, going 2-4 from the plate with two RBIs. In Northwestern’s final game of the Dordt Dome Classic, against Peru State, she batted 1-3, and tacked on two more RBIs to her season total.
Boeve’s exceptional weekend of hitting granted her Athlete of the Week honors, and high appraisal from head coach Shane Bouman. “Jen Boeve is what it means to be a Red Raider,” Coach Bouman explained. “She has very high expectations yet is unselfish and wants team wins over individual accolades, and we are beyond blessed to have her as one of our leaders this season.”
Teammates agree with Bouman as they believe Boeve brings a profound amount of energy and excitement to the team, which helps them through the ups and downs of the softball season.
“It’s an honor to be Athlete of the Week simply because it means our team is performing so well,” Boeve said.
She explained how this season has been truly remarkable so far as its been wonderful to see the growth of the freshmen Raiders and the team chemistry is special. She hopes to cherish every moment of being with her team. “Realizing it’s your last year is such a powerful and wonderful experience and I am grateful for it all,” Boeve said.
As Boeve continues her final season in Raider softball, she hopes to build on her hitting successes and bring the team two new banners to hang in the Juffer. One is a GPAC Championship Title, and the other is something Boeve has had her eyes on since she arrived at NW: a national championship.
