In just one season at Kansas City Kansas Community College, sophomore catcher Brenli Baker has made a lasting impact on the Blue Devils softball program.
After transferring to KCKCC ahead of the 2025-26 academic year, Baker quickly became one of the most important pieces of the Blue Devils both on the field and throughout the athletic department. Her leadership, experience, and steady presence behind the plate have helped elevate the standard of the program while making those around her better every day.
Baker's impact has also shown in the batter's box this season. Through 50 games, she is hitting .432 with 64 hits, 11 doubles, three home runs, and 52 RBIs while posting a .517 on-base percentage and .568 slugging percentage. In conference play, she has been even better, batting .469 with a .548 on-base percentage and .653 slugging percentage, helping anchor the Blue Devils lineup in key moments.
"She's made a huge impact," softball head coach Lana Ross said. "Brenli calls every game, so she's taken a lot of responsibility off me. I can move the defense around while she's calling pitches. She's one of the best athletes I've ever coached in terms of her knowledge of the game."
As a catcher, Baker naturally serves as an extension of the coaching staff on the field. Ross said what separates Baker is not only the way she leads during games, but the way she leads by example every day.
"Her leadership is in what she does off the field," Ross said. "She does the little things right, works hard every single day and grinds it out. She leads on the field, but she leads off the field too."
For Baker, the transition to KCKCC felt natural because of the people around her. Though she transferred into a new program, she said the support from coaches, teammates, and staff made the college feel at home.
"The people definitely make it feel like home," Baker said. "Between Coach Ross, Coach Jenn, our athletic trainers and everyone around the department, they all care about me. It's just a really good place to be."
Ross believes Baker has become the kind of student-athlete that defines the culture KCKCC softball strives to build.
"Brenli is exactly what we want in our culture," Ross said. "She works hard in the classroom, on the field, and off the field. She grinds every single day, and she's the epitome of what we want this program to be."
Beyond softball, Baker has become known across campus for supporting other programs and representing the Blue Devils in a way that extends beyond her own team.
"She supports everybody," Ross said. "She knows athletes from other teams, she shows up for them, and she would do anything for this department. She's exactly what we want in a Blue Devil."
Baker's impact has been felt throughout the program in a short amount of time, making her a natural choice for April's Blue Devil of the Month.
With her leadership, toughness, and commitment to those around her, Baker has helped strengthen not only the softball team, but the culture of KCKCC athletics.