Emotional Home Opener: Senators Celebrate Double Victory Against the Cardinals

After six away games and five wins, the Düsseldorf Senators finally returned to Benrather Südallee last Sunday and celebrated their home opener with an impressive double victory over the Cologne Cardinals.

The Cardinals arrived with a younger roster, presenting the hosts with a difficult challenge to assess. Head Coach Frank Mohr had prepared his team accordingly: “We wanted to approach the games aggressively. At first, it doesn’t matter how the opponent is set up — that doesn’t change our mindset.”

Before the first pitch at 1:00 PM, the game paused for a special moment. The Senators entered the field wearing black mourning bands in honor of Werner Krause, the longtime chairman of TSG Benrath, who passed away late last year after a short but serious illness. Krause had supported the softball department for many years and played a major role behind the scenes.

The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by his successor, Oliver Huckstorf. With applause from both teams and the spectators, the moment marked not only the opening of the home season, but also a quiet gesture of gratitude and remembrance.

On the field, the Senators controlled the action from the very beginning. Offensively and defensively, the Düsseldorf side showed why they entered the day as favorites. In the first game, they gave the Cardinals little room to breathe.

The second game proved to be more challenging at first. Until the third inning, the Cardinals managed to keep the Senators’ offense under control. However, a powerful eight-run inning ultimately shifted the momentum and secured the second victory of the day for Düsseldorf.

Mohr also praised the performance of the visitors: “The Cardinals showed tremendous fighting spirit until the very end and never gave up. We have a lot of respect for that.”

Once again, pitching was one of the key factors behind the Senators’ success. With composure, variety, and strong control, the Düsseldorf pitchers gave the Cologne hitters very few opportunities.

Another highlight was the performance of the youngest pitcher on the roster. She stepped up, took responsibility, and earned her first career victory with a strong outing. “We are incredibly proud of her,” said Mohr.

The final matchup against the Cologne Cardinals is still ahead — this time in Cologne. A game the Senators are already looking forward to.

Split in Krefeld

The softball women of the Düsseldorf Senators and the Krefeld Crows delivered two games on Sunday that could hardly have been more different. The game day also took place on Mother’s Day, which is why the Senators wore their pink jerseys.

The team from the state capital wanted to build on the strong performances of the past few weeks and extend its winning streak. However, it was already clear before the first pitch that this would not be an easy task. Over the past years, the Crows had become something of a bogey team for the Senators, who had managed to win only two of their eleven matchups.

“The Crows are a well-established team that has been playing together for many years. Sometimes it feels like the balls are magically drawn to their defense, and they are always dangerous at the plate,” the coaches warned before the game.

And indeed, the Senators fell behind early while struggling offensively at first. But already in the second inning, the offense found an answer to the home team’s strong pitcher and managed to tie the game.

“We hit the ball really well and played solid defense behind our strong pitchers.”

The Senators then took a comfortable 13–5 lead into the fifth inning. After recording two quick outs, everything seemed to point toward a convincing victory.

“When someone asks me what the hardest out is, I always answer: the last one. And that was exactly the case again this time. It could have been a perfect inning if we hadn’t made that one crucial mistake.”

Krefeld refused to give up and fought its way back into the game run by run. A hard comebacker eventually forced the Senators to replace their pitcher at the decisive moment.

“Fortunately, we are well positioned at that spot and still had enough options available, which allowed us to pull out the win in the end.”

However, the hosts’ big comeback left its mark.

“In my opinion, it’s easy to explain why we couldn’t build on the strong performance from game one. Even though we had clearly been the better team for most of the first game, we almost let it slip away in the end. That’s why, after the win, there was more relief than pure joy. The momentum was clearly on Krefeld’s side.”

Especially the final inning of the first game cost the Senators a lot of mental energy. Offensively in particular, the decisive spark was often missing in game two. Nevertheless, the Düsseldorf team kept the game close for a long time and trailed only 1–3 through four innings.

But then the Crows increasingly found their rhythm, stringing together hit after hit and consistently capitalizing on small defensive lapses by the Senators.

“The loss was deserved, although in my opinion the final score of 1–7 was a little too high in the end.”

In the end, the teams settled for a fair split after delivering gripping games from start to finish.

“They were two fast-paced and great games, and we’re already looking forward to seeing them again — next time in Düsseldorf.”

“More than just games – a journey that changed us.”

There are seasons in which wins are counted. And there are seasons in which you grow – as a team, as a person, as a community.

2025 was the latter.

A journey full of emotion, hard work, laughter, doubt, and small miracles between the bases.

When we began our preseason together in the spring, there was this feeling:
We wanted to build something. Not just a team, but trust.
Every practice was more than technique and progress – it was connection.

Connection with ourselves, with others, with the game that unites us.

Over the course of the season, we learned that success isn’t only found on the scoreboard.
It shows itself in the moments when someone smiles after a strikeout and keeps going.
When someone who once hesitated to raise their voice suddenly calls the out that ends the inning.
When the bench erupts in cheers as if it were the final of the German Championship.

We won games no one expected us to win, and we lost games that hurt.
But there was strength in both. Because every game brought us closer together.

Whether in Düsseldorf, Neunkirchen, or under the summer heat in Aachen – we didn’t just play softball.
We lived softball together.

A true highlight of the season was our “Pink Against Racism” event.

Pink jerseys, smiling faces, a field full of energy.

A day that showed that softball is more than a sport – it’s a language of peace, respect, and unity.

That was bigger than a game.

But even beyond the big moments, there were countless small stories.

Players celebrating their first hits. Pitchers showing nerves of steel.

Moments when we carried one another – on days when life felt heavier than the ball itself.

And again and again, that quiet feeling: We’ve got this. Together.

What remains is more than a record.

It’s the awareness that every person matters.
That growth takes time.
That joy is contagious.
And that a team grows when it shows up for one another.

When you look out onto the field at the end of the season, after the final game, the sun slowly setting behind the backstop, and you hear the voices, the laughter, the fatigue – you know:

This was real.
This was our year.

Thank you to everyone who made this season possible:

Players, coaches, parents, friends, and supporters.

You turned this season into more than just a series of games.
You made it a story full of heart.

Passion instead of runs

We had set ourselves big goals for the last two games in Neunkirchen – and we knew how demanding they would be. With only ten players, not all of them fully fit, we faced a young, strong, and highly motivated team.

All the more impressive was the fight our girls put up, which has left me deeply moved and proud: If anyone wants to understand the meaning of team sport, they shouldn’t ask the internet — they should simply come to one of our games. This team, that holds together so strongly and grows beyond itself especially when trailing, is incomparable. As much as the defeats hurt — what this group showed is priceless.

Perhaps it is also a sign of the respect we have now earned that opponents do not hesitate to bring in Bundesliga experience when they face us. For us, that is not a disappointment, but rather an honor: we are taken seriously.

With the new game format, we played around twelve more innings than in the previous season — a gain for our development, but also a personal challenge for each individual. Everyone has learned to push beyond their limits, endure setbacks, and still function as a team. With a record of 13 wins to 11 losses, we now head into the offseason. Considering everything we experimented with during the season, that is more than remarkable.

But the record and the standings only tell half the story: This year we played the best softball we’ve ever played. Games at the highest level, showing how much heart, passion, and quality are in this team. Every single player has developed — in the field, at bat, or in her role on the team. Many took on responsibilities they never would have imagined at the start of the season, laying the foundation for us to be broader and stronger as a squad.

Nine wins in a row also showed what this team is capable of when focused and united. Softball in Düsseldorf now has a clear perspective. We are especially proud of our six players under the age of 15, whom we can now carefully develop step by step. For us, this means responsibility not only in sport but also as people: to be role models, to give support, and to create spaces where young players can grow.

We look ahead with great anticipation to the winter season and the challenges to come — with a team that has my heart. Special thanks go to the entire Senators Ladies team, who worked tirelessly both on and off the field. Without your dedication, your support, and your belief in this team, much would not have been possible.

And of course, we warmly congratulate Neunkirchen on winning the Landesliga championship — a strong opponent and a well-deserved titleholder.

Different Roots. One Field.

Music and Dance at the Heart of the Festival

A colorful musical program created a lively atmosphere throughout the day. DJ Andreas kept the crowd moving, while 23rd Staircase and Mariano Gardella filled the stage with vibrant live music. The dance performances were another true highlight: the ensemble Herencia Latina transported guests into the world of Latin American rhythms with passionate choreography, while Zumbini with BLOOMVALLEY thrilled the audience with an energetic show. Music and dance turned the festival into a celebration for all the senses and made cultural diversity shine even more vividly.

Thanks to All Supporters

Under the patronage of TSG Benrath, the festival was organized in collaboration with Jenna Davis from Life in Düsseldorf, VierNull Media, and the Düsseldorf Senators. Above all, the many children brought smiles to the faces of the organizers, who can look back proudly at what was achieved. A special thanks goes to the main sponsor, Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf, whose support was vital in making this day possible. Equally important were the numerous volunteers behind the scenes, who ensured a smooth event with great dedication and commitment.

A Strong Signal for Community

At the end of the day, the festival left behind the memory of something much more than just a sporting event. It was living proof of how diversity brings people together, how integration can succeed, and how community is experienced. Where walls often rise elsewhere, here bridges were built – with sport, music, food, and above all, with openness and warmth.

The International Festival in Benrath thus set a powerful signal of solidarity, confidence, and joy – one that will surely remain in the memories of all participants for a long time to come.

Two Defeats and Many Small Victories

“Today we were basically running on reserve and somehow dragged ourselves across the finish line. The girls still gave everything, as always, and fought against the losses until the very end. You could feel very clearly that the strength was fading – not only among the players, but throughout the entire staff as well. It’s been an incredibly exhausting season so far, one in which we’ve demanded everything from the team, physically and mentally. On top of that, the sheer number of games has taken its toll. But one thing I want to emphasize clearly: I’m very grateful to the federation that the game days are played as doubleheaders. That’s the only way we can continue to develop our sport in Germany, make it more visible, and give our talents valuable playing time to carefully build them up step by step.

Looking back on today, I see two defeats – but above all, I feel pride. Because even though we lost both games, every single player showed today how much she burns for this team. Each one had to push herself to the limit, each one had to leave her comfort zone. And that is what defines us.

The first game was extremely tough. We had to completely reshuffle positions, and it was clear from the start that not everything would run smoothly. We quickly fell behind, and it looked as if we wouldn’t be able to turn the game around. But that’s exactly when the character of a team shows. Instead of giving up, the team kept fighting. After being down 3–8, we made it really exciting again. Losing 8–13 in the end is bitter – but it also shows that we gave everything until the last pitch. Nobody let their heads drop. On the contrary: you can feel the joy with which softball is being played here, no matter what the scoreboard says at the end.

After a short break of just thirty minutes, there was hardly any time to adjust for the second game. We had actually prepared scenarios, but then an injury threw all our plans overboard. That challenged us even more, because there weren’t many options left in the field. Still, we communicated the goals clearly. For me, there was no question: we would go into the game with Nina and Olivia as pitchers.

About Nina, I want to say this: today she had some trouble finding her landing zone and struggled to fully execute her motion.

That happens – especially when the strain has been so high for weeks on end. We had to take her out already in the first inning, but I’m still satisfied with her performance. Because every single pitch helps us. Every pitch makes us stronger, teaches us how to deal with nerves, and ultimately gives us confidence. That’s development, and I’ll gladly take that with us.

And then there’s our youngest player, and we couldn’t be prouder of her. Today Olivia showed impressively what we can look forward to in the future. With three hard-hit balls at the plate, she not only proved her increasingly consistent offensive qualities. Since we had traveled without a shortstop, Olivia spontaneously took over that role in defense – and did it flawlessly. For me, that was a real highlight. And when we needed her in the circle as well, she pitched three really strong innings.

What moved me the most was that in the postgame talk she emphasized again how important the entire team is to her. She thanked everyone for their constant encouragement and motivating words. That shows her character, and it also shows that such success wouldn’t even be possible without every single player.

At the end of the day, the record shows two defeats. But if you look closer, there are also many small victories: the fighting spirit, the joy of the game, the growth of young players, the support for one another. These are all things we can be proud of.

Of course, we would have loved to win the games. But we’re not too disappointed. We knew that playing against Jülich wouldn’t be easy. Jülich earned these victories – that has to be acknowledged without envy. For us, it’s now about regenerating, gathering strength, and looking ahead. This team has heart, it has courage, and it has the ability to keep getting back up. And that’s exactly why I am convinced that we will come out of this season even stronger than we went into it.

On the final game day against Neunkirchen, we will throw in everything we’ve got once more and reward ourselves with two selfless, wholehearted games for what has already been an outstanding season.”

SPLIT AGAINST THE LEAGUE LEADERS

Cold and rainy weather marked the beginning of the final home game day of the season at Südallee in Benrath. The guests were the Krefeld Crows, league leaders and known for their error-free play and powerful offensive actions. An opponent the coaches of the Düsseldorf Senators held in high regard.

“For us, it was mainly about continuing the impressive season so far,” explained Head Coach Frank Mohr before the game. “We have experimented a lot, tested new players and positions. Of course, it’s tempting to reach for more when you see how well we’re playing. But our focus is on the development of our young players. They are our future, and we want to approach this development with care.”

In the first game, Lina Schwippert took on the responsibility in the pitcher’s circle – and did so impressively. With 11 strikeouts, she kept the Crows’ offense in check. The Senators’ offense was also in great form, collecting a total of 14 hits. In the end, it was a well-deserved 8–3 victory for the hosts.

“It was more exciting than the score might suggest,” the coaches said after the game. “We had to make a number of adjustments, many players were not fully fit. Having Lina in the circle for the first game was a huge help.”

After a short break, it was time for the second game of the doubleheader – and with it, the chance to take sole possession of first place in the standings. But in the first three innings, the Senators struggled both offensively and defensively. The Crows, unfazed by their opening defeat, quickly built a clear 10–1 lead.

“I have to admit that we were shaken up quite a bit and too often just watched the balls go by,” said Head Coach Mohr. Still, the Senators fought back in the final two innings, repeatedly putting runners in scoring position and even loading the bases. But too often, the decisive hit was missing. Defensively as well, small mistakes crept in: throws were just a tick too long or too short, and even balls that seemed safely caught slipped out of the glove and fell to the ground.

So in the end, it remained a 6–15 defeat against the strong-performing visitors.

At the end of the day, the split against the league leaders was another sign of how far the Senators have come this season. Between a spirit of new beginnings, the development of young players, and the ambition to keep up with the very best, the final home game day was a fitting snapshot of this special season.

“We still have four games left, and it’s already clear that for the first time, we’ll finish the season with a positive record. I’m especially happy about that for the girls.”

Next Saturday already brings the next matchup against the Jülich Duchess. The impressive streak of four wins in four games should give the team confidence, but the coaches warn against drawing premature conclusions:

“All the games against Jülich have been exciting and high-class. Nothing is decided yet. We’re really looking forward to this final duel of the season – by Saturday night, we’ll know more.”