As an NIU freshman learning how to bat at the Division I level, Samantha Knoll often found herself swinging at the air, as a ball whiffed by. But through all her struggles on the plate, she always had grandpa behind her, and she would hear him cheering her on in the stands.

“I’d always turn around and smile at my grandpa at a game,” said Knoll, a junior catcher, who now ranks as NIU’s top hitter. “He really supported me.”

Vincent Schmitt always attended his granddaughter’s games going back to her high school days in Wisconsin and attended most of Knoll’s home games at NIU during her freshman year.

While Knoll had Schmitt and her family’s support, she batted a disappointing .179 and struck out 32 times in 45 games during her rookie campaign.

Then suddenly, Knoll no longer heard her grandpa’s voice.

Schmitt had diabetes that led to his death just before Knoll’s sophomore season. Knoll, who remained close with her grandfather her entire life, had to find a way to continue with school and softball.

She already had faced some adversity in her life. Coming out of high school, Knoll did not receive much Division I interest and worried that she might not realize her dream of playing at that level. But former NIU player Pat Faletti-Janson noticed her efforts during summer league play and told NIU coach Donna Martin about the small-town phenom. Shortly afterward, Knoll received an invitation to join the Huskies.

At the time of her grandfather’s death, Knoll had been increasing her efforts toward improving her hitting. Instead of letting Schmitt’s death devastate her or affect her play on the field, Knoll responded in another way.

At each game, Knoll wears a wristband with “grandpa” written on it. Each time Knoll takes the plate, she kisses the wristband and points to the sky. She decided to use her grandfather’s death as motivation to excel on the field and in life.

“I’ve dedicated every game to him until my career’s over with,” Knoll said. “I think that was probably the most inspirational and hardest part of my life to overcome.”

“I think [her grandfather’s death] just gave her little bit more focus,” Martin said. “To do the best you can with what’s been given to you, to live each day the best you can and not take anything for granted. Samantha’s just kind of used that as a way to help her focus on what she wants to get done everyday.”

The change in Knoll could be seen on the field. Playing with more focus and determination, her bat started to heat up. The Wisconsin native posted a .290 batting average during her sophomore campaign to go along with 25 RBI, 11 doubles, three triples, and two home runs. She went 3-for-3 at bat and notched three runs and two RBI in a contest against Toledo last year. She also drilled a game winning three-run triple to spark a 7-1 triumph over Kent State.

“I became a lot more mentally tough,” Knoll said. “I realized what I could do on a consistent basis.”

Suddenly, Knoll heard another voice during games. It didn’t come from her grandpa but her own mouth. As a catcher, she also took the role of motivational leader; talking to teammates and keeping the team’s spirits up during crucial innings. She also impressed Martin with her work ethic.

Suddenly, Knoll hears many voices at NIU games. The voices of her teammates, cheering each time she belts a hit, as well as her coaches and NIU fans.

“She tries with everything she’s got,” said teammate Jolene Heller, also a former high school rival of Knoll’s “You can just tell, she’s up there ready to go. She wants to be in the situation to do that.”

“She’s a blue collar player,” Martin said. “She gets nicked up and bruised and beat up. The girls give her a hard time about it, but it’s within the boundaries of the game. She doesn’t bring anything less to the table. She works at everything she does.”

Knoll’s hard work has finally paid off. The junior catcher leads NIU in hitting, batting a team-leading .324 heading into Tuesday’s double header with Miami. She also has notched 22 hits in 65 tries, and has notched 15 runs,11 RBI and two home runs, also team-bests. Also, she has provided the Huskies more versatility, learning how to play left field for the first time this spring, where she has posted a .985 fielding percentage, while making just one error in 22 games.

“She has picked it up,” Martin said. “Obviously it’s been a big part of our success since spring break. She’s fulfilling her role pretty

well.”

Grandpa would be proud.