GRAND FORKS,N.D. — For the first spring in a long time, Blooming Prairie grad Tricia DeBoer is on the sidelines.

But she doesn’t plan on being there for long.

DeBoer started this season playing softball for Division I University of North Dakota, but she eventually made the decision that she didn’t want to stay with the Sioux. DeBoer, who had two steals in limited playing time in the first half of the season, finally made up her mind that she was going to ask for her release to go to another school.

“It was a tough decision,” said DeBoer, who is a slap hitting outfielder. “I knew there was a chance they wouldn’t want me on the team and I wanted to finish the season with them.”

When DeBoer told UND she was looking elsewhere, she was cut from the team, but that freed her up to verbally commit to transfer to Division II St. Cloud State University, where she will receive a partial athletic scholarship.

DeBoer had a few reasons for leaving UND, which is located in Grand Forks, N.D., it was very far from her hometown and she was looking to be a double major student, which is very difficult for a Division I athlete.

“I kind of decided I didn’t like North Dakota anymore,” DeBoer said. “I think it was everything and a lot of things contributed to it.”

While she didn’t play a lot at UND, DeBoer did pick up some lessons. She learned the defintion of hard work as she had to get up every day for 6 a.m. weight lifting and still be able to go through three-hour practices after school.

“I have learned a lot. Even though I only played half the season, I learned some techniques with slap hitting,” she said. “It’s a lot more intense than high school and it’s a lot of time. But I really enjoyed it.”

Now DeBoer is focusing on getting back to the sports she loves. She will begin playing this summer in the Twin Cities June 1.

“I miss it so much. I have a countdown going for my first summer game,” she said.

DeBoer is also keeping her focus on the Awesome Blossoms, as she played in three Class ‘A’ state tournaments in BP.

DeBoer is especially monitoring sophomore Tessa Ivers, who is BP’s new lead-off hitter.

“I’m so proud of her. She’s kind of my legacy,” DeBoer said. “It’s fun to follow them and see how they’re doing.”