Former Bay Port star fitting in at UW-Green Bay

GREEN BAY – Former Bay Port softball player Emma Krueger is picking up where she left off during high school.

Currently finding some success at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UW-Green Bay), Krueger has taken a different path to playing for the Phoenix.

“My journey hasn’t been straightforward,” she laughed.

After graduating from Bay Port in 2022, Krueger took her talents to Rock Valley College in Rockford, Illinois.

After redshirting her first season for the Golden Eagles because she tore the labrum in her shoulder, Krueger played her second year before experiencing stomach issues.

“After the spring season (in 2024) at Rock Valley, I medically retired due to those stomach issues,” she said. “I didn’t know exactly what it was, but eventually, I got my gallbladder out. At that point, I never thought I would be able to fuel my body in a way I could play again, so I medically retired.”

However, before she medically retired, Krueger said she was planning to continue her softball career at Northern Illinois University (NIU).

“I was ready to go there,” she said. “It’s a great school and has a great softball program, but because I medically retired in spring 2024, I requested to get out of my letter of intent with NIU.”

Thinking her softball career was over but wanting to continue her academic career while staying close to home, Krueger said she decided to enroll at UW-Green Bay last fall.

She said she was even able to stay close to the game she loved, becoming the student manager for the Phoenix softball team.

“My surgery and recovery went better than expected,” she said. “Being around the team and softball again (as the student manager), it made me realize how much I missed the game.”

Because she was doing so well physically and had recovered better than she expected, it was then, Krueger said, that she realized she could still play softball at a high level.

“We filed a waiver with the NCAA to reinstate my eligibility, and that was accepted in December (2024),” she said.

From there, Krueger walked on with the Phoenix and earned a roster spot.

“It was a long process, but it all worked out,” she said.

Through April 22 games, Krueger has played in 31 of 39 possible games for the Phoenix (12-27 overall, 5-13 Horizon League).

“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to play for Green Bay,” she said. “Living so close, I think it’s always been in the back of my mind to play for my hometown team. The teammates I have are incredibly gifted and incredibly awesome to be a part of. Overall, to play softball again is an amazing opportunity. I want to play as long as I possibly can.”

Playing against quality opponents in the Horizon League, Krueger said she’s excited to show more of what she can do with more game experience.

“It’s tough going against quality pitchers every game,” she said. “It’s also pretty cool to play against former teammates from Rock Valley who also play in the Horizon League. I know physically I can play at this level. Mentally having that confidence that I am gifted to play at this level and that I can is something I’ve been working on.”

This season, Krueger said she transitioned from first base to the outfield at UWGB.

“It’s wherever coach (Sara Kubuske) needs me to go,” she said. “I don’t want to play just one position – I can go anywhere they need me to and show I’m versatile.”

Krueger said she doesn’t think much about her Bay Port days anymore, but she’s also grateful for her opportunities from those days.

Though softball is her athletic path now, Krueger said she also “loved basketball.”

During her freshman season, she was a part of the Pirates’ WIAA Division 1 state championship team that finished 27-1, defeating Middleton in the title game, 50-49.

She averaged 10 points per game in her three-year career, scoring almost 600 career points.

“Growing up, I thought basketball was always what I wanted to do,” she said. “Obviously, I loved softball, too. Honestly, I think softball was more what I thought I could take further. I would spend hours shooting hoops and working on my game at the YMCA. Something I’ve always taken pride in is my work ethic – I’ll stand by that forever.”

The Phoenix have three remaining home games at King Park during the regular season (April 27-28).