Dakota Wesleyan Softball Coach Stephen Oswald Jr. Leaves After Record-Breaking Season

MITCHELL — Stephen Oswald Jr. is stepping down as head coach of the Dakota Wesleyan softball team after leading the program to unprecedented success during his single season in charge. Under his leadership, the Tigers achieved a remarkable 35-17 record, a feat that marks the highest number of wins in a single season for the team. This performance also secured their spot in the Great Plains Athletic Conference tournament.

The 35 victories not only set a new school record but also placed Dakota Wesleyan 36th out of 191 NAIA programs in the final RPI standings. Following this successful season, nine players from the team received all-GPAC accolades, with eight of those athletes expected to return for the 2027 season.

When contacted by the Mitchell Republic, Oswald did not reveal his future plans, stating that he is currently contemplating whether to stay in coaching or explore other career opportunities. While he remains open to continuing in the field, he has not secured a new position as of yet.

Originally from Beresford, Oswald took the reins at Dakota Wesleyan after serving as an assistant coach at Division II Ohio Dominican University. He played college baseball at Mount Marty University, completing his studies in 2020. He succeeded Tommy Downs, who left DWU in 2025 to become the head coach at the University of Sioux Falls.

Ross Cimpl, the Athletic Director at Dakota Wesleyan, expressed appreciation for Oswald's impact on the program. "I would like to thank Coach Oswald Jr. for his time and dedication to DWU softball," Cimpl stated. "What he accomplished in a short amount of time is impressive, and has positioned our softball program for continued success."

Cimpl highlighted the growth of the team, noting that the past two seasons have been the most fruitful in the program's history, with the Tigers posting a combined 69-33 record and earning 19 all-conference honors while making consecutive appearances in the GPAC tournament.