Madison Night Mares
Madison's NWLS team, champions in 2025.
The Madison Night Mares are a fastpitch softball team in the Northwoods League Softball (NWLS), a collegiate summer league. They play their home games at Warner Park in Madison, Wisconsin.
Quick Facts
- League
- Northwoods League
- Location
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Stadium
- Warner Park
- Founded
- 2024
- League champs
- (2) 2025, 2026
- Owner
- Steve Schmitt
- President
- Vern Stenman
- General manager
- Samantha Rubin
Facts from the source article.
History
In May 2023, the Northwoods League announced a new summer collegiate softball league to begin in 2024. Co-founder Kathy Radatz stated that the league aimed to provide a platform for female athletes to compete at a high level during summer months. In January 2024, the ownership group of the Madison Mallards announced they would create a team for the NWLS, planning to equip Warner Park with an artificial turf infield, a portable pitcher's mound, and a movable outfield fence. Madison was announced as an inaugural franchise, and a submit-a-name campaign produced four finalists: Swamp Angels, Thunder Chickens, Lake Muensters, and Night Mares. The Night Mares identity was chosen, with logos featuring a mare and a color scheme of black, white, and teal. In summer 2024, Madison joined the La Crosse Steam, Mankato Habaneros, and Minot Honeybees in the league's first season, finishing 25–17 for second place. Five Night Mares made the post-season All-Star team, tying the champion Mankato Habaneros. Sisters Hilary and Addie Blomberg were among the all-stars. In 2025, the NWLS expanded to five teams with Wausau, Wisconsin, and held its first playoff series. Madison posted a 35–7 regular-season record, far ahead of the next-best 21–21 team, swept a three-game playoff series against Minot, and won their first NWLS championship. The 2025 team had six all-stars, a league high. Hilary Blomberg won NWLS Player of the Year after leading the league in home runs (11), RBI (47), and batting average (.407). Karlie McKenzie won NWLS Pitcher of the Year with a league-leading 1.86 ERA and 10 wins, plus 59 strikeouts; her 1.86 ERA remains the NWLS single-season record as of the end of 2026. Lexi Godwin was named NWLS Coach of the Year.
Player highlights
Hilary Blomberg won NWLS Player of the Year in 2025 and 2026. Karlie McKenzie won NWLS Pitcher of the Year in 2025, and Ryan Maddox won the award in 2026. Lexi Godwin was NWLS Coach of the Year in 2025, and Kara Hammock received the honor in 2026. As of the end of the 2026 season, McKenzie holds the all-time NWLS single-season ERA record at 1.86.
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