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MINSTER - Minster seniors Tyler Stueve and Emma Linn announced commitments to Trine University and Defiance College, respectively, on Monday to continue their careers at the next level.
Tyler Stueve, seated center, signed a national letter of intent Monday to play baseball at Trine University. Seated with him are his parents, Mindy and Jeff Stueve, and standing are his siblings, brothers Jackson and Cooper and sister Ava.
Stueve said he picked Trine because its approach stood out from the other schools he visited.
"I feel like everyone in the university was very heartfelt and very nice," he said. "Accepted me in a way that I've never felt accepted before at any other university. Another major thing is, when I was there, I felt like a person, not like a number like you see at larger universities."
Stueve, Minster's two-year starting shortstop, hit .278 last year with five doubles, 23 stolen bases and 21 runs scored. He also pitched 12 innings in six relief appearances, going 2-0 with a 2.33 ERA.
Minster coach Mike Wiss said that as the son of assistant coach Jeff Stueve, Tyler has been in the Wildcats' dugout for 15 years.
"He's done everything that we've done since he's been a little kid," Wiss said. "So you expect out of him the ability to talk to a coach, the ability to talk to his teammates, the ability to coach. It's a really big deal to have a guy who's trustworthy and who's improved his game over time, whether it's fielding, whether it's his footwork, his swing. He's what I would call right now our leader, both on and off the field, nonverbally and verbally."
Stueve said he would like to continue at shortstop for the Thunder, but is prepared to play anywhere the team needs.
In the meantime, heading into his senior season at Minster, he's focused on bringing the leadership Wiss described to bear.
"I feel like this year will be able to help develop that, being a senior on the team," he said. "Obviously succeeding is very important, but building this program and keeping it going is one of the most important things. Senior leadership is very narrow, and as long as we have more leaders, this program will be able to develop."
Steve plans to study civil engineering, though he hasn't narrowed down which area within that field he'll pursue.
Trine went 15-24 last season and 6-15 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, and is 7-6 to start this year heading into a four-game series with Wright State-Lake Campus on Saturday. Coach Greg Perschke has led the Thunder since 2002.
Emma Linn, seated center, signed a national letter of intent Monday to play softball at Defiance College. Seated with her are her parents, Matt and Kelly, and standing is her brother Hayden.
Linn, heading into her third year starting in the outfield for the Wildcats, said the atmosphere at Minster helped prepare her to move on to the next level.
"Here at Minster, everyone's really supportive," she said. "Teammates are constantly supporting you, whatever you want to do, and that just really helped me grow, convinced me to continue playing. The coaching staff is really great, making sure that I have what I need to grow and continue where I'm going."
Linn hit .429 for the Wildcats, who finished last season atop the Division IV poll, with five doubles and four home runs, and she drove in 24 runs while scoring 16. Two of her homers came in the Katie Horstman Classic in late April.
At Defiance, Linn expects to continue to play the outfield, although she's not sure which spot. She plans to study marketing, possibly adding a minor in sports management.
The Yellowjackets finished 16-24 in 2023 and went 7-9 in the Heartland Conference. This year, in the first season under coach Jordan Osborne, Defiance has started out 3-10 heading into a Thursday doubleheader against Heidelberg.
"I'd like to thank the teachers that have supported me, and the coaching staff as well," Linn said. "And Defiance, for allowing me to continue as a player."
