Arment, Minnaert sisters’ bonds grow through softball

BROOKLYN — Two sets of siblings and two strengthened bonds.

Karagyn and Emersyn Minnaert, Kylie and Cara Arment are sibling duos and part of the BGM softball team.

All four are key contributors to this season’s team, and all four have grown closer as siblings through the game of softball.

“Getting to play with Emersyn has been one of the best experiences throughout high school,” Karagyn Minnaert said. “Playing with her has made the sport so much memorable.”

Karagyn is a senior, while Emerysn is a freshman this season.

As an older sister, Karagyn has already helped Emersyn understand the game better.

“Playing with her has helped me learn a lot, especially since she’s not scared to tell me what I need to fix or do better at,” Emerysn Minnaert said. “As well as to have someone that knows me very well to be able to help me get in a better mood after I make a mistake.”

Supporting each other through the ups and downs and making memories have brought the two closer.

“Our bond has truly grown over this last year,” said Karagyn. “We have played three other sports together, and each one we have grown even more.“

“Our bond has grown through softball by just making it stronger than it was,” Emersyn said. “It allows us to better each other and be there for each other, make us better athletes — and many more small things.“

Kylie and Cara Arment share a similar dynamic. Kylie is an upperclassmen (junior), while Cara is a freshman.

“Being able to play with my sister has been a fun experience,” Cara Arment said. “She gives me support, encouragement, and we have a special bond during games.”

Kylie, through playing together with Cara, has learned how to encourage her.

“I know how to encourage her when she is pitching and how to bring her up, which has been helpful for her,” said Kylie Arment.

“I’ve started to realize that I’ve picked up more of Cara’s lingo when we come to the huddle. Whenever Cara gets a strikeout, we go to the huddle and I tell her she has ‘aura,’ which is a way to say she is doing amazing. It is also a way we joke around.“

Having sets of siblings also creates an interesting coaching dynamic.

“It is interesting coaching siblings because there is always another dynamic to deal with besides the softball side of things,” BGM coach Jill Hulsing said.

“I enjoy having siblings and have had several over the years. They often come with similar experiences, so I know what I am going to get as far as softball goes.”

The connection on this year’s team go beyond the pairs of siblings as well.

“So far this season has been the most enjoyable season I’ve had,” said Kylie Arment. “I have basically grown up with all these girls, and I feel like our connections makes us a stronger team.”

“We have grown so much as a team in the last couple years,” Karagyn Minnaert said. “Playing with people that are basically your best friends makes the game a lot more enjoyable.”

Karagyn Minnaert also provides important team leadership as one of three seniors on the team.

“Karagyn has started since she was an eighth grader primarily at shortstop, and missed last year due to ACL surgery, so she has learned leadership from experiences she has had while playing,” said Hulsing.

The team frequently uses the expression “Mudita” in huddles, Cara Arment said. With roots in Buddhism, the phrase represents the concept of having joy for the success of others and delighting in that with no self-interest.

The Bears are currently 6-3, and are projected to have their most wins in a season since 2018. All four siblings are playing a big part in that.

Kylie Arment is second on the team in RBIs (10), Emerysn Minnaert is batting .379 and is playing behind the plate at catcher.

“She started last year as an eighth grader, too,” said Hulsing of Emersyn. “She is learning her leadership role by understanding the pitchers she is working with and knowing how to call pitches.”

Cara Arment has pitched 47 of 55 innings so far in her first season as the team’s primary pitcher.

“She has a competitive spirit and is learning to deal with adversity,” Hulsing said. “When you're young, learning consistency can take time, but she is taking it one step at a time.”

All four have ways in which they hope to see their games improve, but all share a common sentiment as the Bears approach the second half of the season.

“We can always improve more on supporting each other during tough times, even when others are at their lowest,” Cara Arment said.

The Bears look to continue their success this season while being supportive teammates along the way.

“These girls can help bring the energy we need to find our success on the field,” Hulsing said.