Bismarck Sparks Coach Since: 2024

assistant COACH - Sparks 14U Gold

Reese Hauck is originally from Dickinson and is currently a sophomore at Concordia College where she plays collegiate softball and is earning a degree in accounting.  She is currently an outfielder for Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. 

Bismarck Sparks Coach Since: 2023

assistant COACH - Sparks 14U Gold

Grace Humann is originally from Bismarck and is currently a junior at Northern State University where she plays collegiate softball and is earning a degree in elementary and special education. She grew up playing league through BYFSA and later on played Revolution, a summer travel team from Bismarck. She is a 5'9" catcher out of Century High School. She was a starter for the Patriots under the direction of head coach Kevin Ziegler. Century won the conference championship her senior season and was a 3-time state placer. Now, she is a catcher and outfielder for Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. 

2023 Season: Assistant Coach - Sparks 14U Gold

Bismarck Sparks Coach Since: 2023

head COACH - Sparks 16U Gold

A University of Mary graduate who played for the University of Mary Softball program for 5 years, Taylor ended her career as the Marauders all-time home run leader during the NCAA era. Mendez-Eastridge was one of the top hitters in the Northern Sun. The native of Los Banos, CA, she was a two-time NSIC Player of the Week during the 2017 season while hitting .349 with a .620 slugging percentage and an on- base percentage of .426. Settling into primarily first base during the 2017 season after playing multiple positions her first three seasons, Mendez-Eastridge hit 14 doubles, two triples and nine home runs with 33 runs batted in and 35 runs scored. She led the Marauders in all the previously listed categories except batting average, where she was second.

Mendez-Eastridge finished her illustrious Marauder career being recognized as a NSIC first team selection at second base as a sophomore in 2015, a NSIC second team selection as a utility player her junior season in 2016, and a NSIC second team selection at 1B her senior season in 2017. Additionally, she finishes her career with 49 home runs, 158 RBIs, 155 runs scored, a batting average of .356, a .418 on base percentage and a .647 slugging percentage. In addition to leading the NCAA era in home runs, she is second in runs scored, hits (242) and slugging percentage and third in on base percentage.

Mendez-Eastridge is currently in her third year as Century High School Softball Assistant Varsity coach. She has been honored with the accolades of Unsung Hero in 2015 and Female Strength Athlete of the Year 2017 for the Marauders Athletics.

2023 Season: Head Coach - Sparks 16/18U Gold

Bismarck Sparks Coach Since: 2023

assistant COACH - Sparks 16U Gold

Emma Owens is a 5'3" catcher out of Legacy High School. She was a 2-year starter and senior team captain for the Sabers under the direction of head coach Holly Schild. Owens tallied school records of 36 RBI and 11 HR in the spring of 2021. In her 2022 season Owens tallied 56 RBI and 12 HR. Owens also led her team to their first state appearance where they placed 3rd, and she was selected for the all WDA tournament team. In addition, she was a member of the Northern Force softball club. The Force won the 2019 and 2020 ND State Championships, as well as the 2019 NAFA National Championship. Owens has also been an umpire for BYFSA from 2018-2022 and has umpired age divisions from 10U-14U in the state of ND. Now, she is a catcher and 2B for Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD.

2023 Season: Assistant Coach - Sparks 14U Gold

Bismarck Sparks Coach Since: 2024

assistant COACH - Sparks 16U Gold

Ashlee Potter is a 5'4" third base player out of Bismarck High School. During her Senior year, Potter and her team placed first in the State A Fastpitch Tournament. In addition, she was a member of the Northern Force softball club. The Force won the 2019 and 2020 ND State Championships, as well as the 2019 NAFA National Championship. Potter has also been an umpire for BYFSA from 2018-2022 and has umpired age divisions from 10U-14U in the state of ND. Now, she is a utility player for Dickinson State University in Dickinson, ND.

BYFSA Travel Team Director Since: 2022

Travel Team Director
Head COACH - Sparks 14U Gold

Darby Krivoruchka is in her second year as director for Bismarck Youth Fastpitch. Originally from Bismarck, Darby is currently in her fourth year as the Century Softball head coach, ninth year coaching in the Century program. Previously, Darby was the head JV coach for the Century program from 2016-2021. She was one of the first Sparks players to come through the program back in 2010 when softball had become a sanctioned high school sport with the NDHSAA. Her senior year, the Sparks high school team had split into two - she then helped CHS win the WDA title, as well as make it to the State championship game in 2011, where they had placed second. After graduating that spring, Darby attended University of Jamestown, where she played collegiate softball for four years and graduated in 2016 with a degree in biochemistry. She currently works as an environment chemist for the ND Department of Environmental Quality.

Darby has also been a USA Softball Umpire for the last 14 years, where she has worked countless slowpitch and fastpitch games and tournaments. She has had the opportunity to work six National slowpitch tournaments, in which she had reached Elite status as a slowpitch umpire in 2020. She continues to umpire throughout the summer months when she can, and hopes to inspire others to become an umpire, as it provides the opportunity to further learn the game of softball. She also plays on a competitive slowpitch team in the summer, participating in the McQuade tournament, as well as many others throughout the summer season.

"Our goal with BYFSA is to provide an organized outlet for girls in the area to be able to play to further develop their skills and be competitive in the summer to enhance our high school programs. We have many players in our community who love the game and want to play, and we want to do everything that we can to help our players become better softball players, better athletes, and better people."

2023 Season: Assistant Coach - Sparks 16/18U Gold