Terps softball infielder Lindsey Schmeiser (left) and her sister, pitcher Kaitlyn Schmeiser (right), anchor the team on both offense and defense.

Lindsey Schmeiser was worried.

Since her freshman year of high school, she aspired to attend her home state’s flagship university, join its preveterinarian program and play for the Terrapins softball team. But she feared that when her sister Kaitlyn Schmeiser — born 19 months before Lindsey — joined the Terps in fall of 2011, coach Laura Watten wouldn’t allow siblings on the roster.

In reality, though, the Terps wanted both sisters, and Lindsey began her career in College Park one year after Kaitlyn.

Despite their age difference, Kaitlyn and Lindsey have played beside each other for the majority of their careers. After finishing their first regular season together with the Terps on Sunday, the two hope they can continue the illustrious journey they have shared in the sport.

“I’m my best player when I’m with [Lindsey],” said Kaitlyn, a sophomore. “I’ve learned that over the years.”

Representatives of the dominant softball tradition at Northern High School in Owings, the sisters now have the opportunity to make a lasting impact for the Terps.

They are poised to do just that. Lindsey, the freshman starting shortstop, led the team in several offensive categories this season, including batting average and home runs. She set a program record with 59 RBIs and was named ACC Freshman of the Year. Coming off a June surgery to repair a herniated disc, Kaitlyn, one of the team’s top starting pitchers, won seven of her last nine starts.

Kaitlyn and Lindsey’s insatiable passion for softball and their strong relationship kept them determined through years of softball camps and home training sessions.

“They each will say that the other is their best coach,” their mother, Laurie, said. “It really just helps them push each other.”

‘RUB IT OFF’

A resilient demeanor runs in the family. It’s something Laurie encouraged Kaitlyn and Lindsey to adopt as kids.

During Kaitlyn’s first softball camp, she was taking part in a sliding drill on a Slip ‘N Slide, and during one attempt, her head slammed into the ground. As the 7-year-old sat on the plastic surface, crying from the pain, Laurie approached her and told her to dust herself off and get on her feet. So Kaitlyn stood, wiped her tears and returned to the drill.

“She smacked her head pretty good,” Laurie said. “I was always the one telling them to … rub it off and keep going.”

Laurie acknowledged that hard-lined mentality might not be the best health decision for her daughters, but she wanted to instill a sense of perseverance.

Jillian Callaway was a sophomore infielder for the Terps when she met Kaitlyn and Lindsey in 2001 at 5 Star Athletics, the softball clinic she had just opened that year.

Kaitlyn was Callaway’s youngest camper that summer. As she ground through drills, Lindsey, who was too young to participate, watched from the sidelines with Laurie so she knew what to expect next year.

Awestruck by Kaitlyn’s toughness and Lindsey’s dedication, Callaway knew the two had what it took to become talented players. As time went on, they proved her right.

“They continually got better every year,” Callaway said. “Being good wasn’t good enough. … They had to be perfect.”

Kaitlyn and Lindsey soon became heavily involved in the sport. They moved up to travel softball with only one year of Little League experience, serving as utility players until their college careers.

Kaitlyn started as a pitcher, but also played games in the outfield. Lindsey mostly played shortstop, but would occasionally play pitcher and catcher as well. The exposure to multiple positions helped both sisters become well-rounded players.

They continued to attend Callaway’s camp throughout their childhood and high school years, and their training displayed a passion that set them apart from others.

TIRELESS WORKERS

Northern softball coach Robert Radford frequently told Kaitlyn and Lindsey not to overwork. Radford knew, however, they would ignore his requests.

After practice, they typically took refuge in the barn behind their Dunkirk home. Equipped with a full-sized batting cage, pitching machines and an exercise area, it was the perfect place to continue their training.

“It’s not like I could stop them from doing it,” Radford said. “But they were smart about what they did.”

Besides, he couldn’t argue against the results.

The Patriots won five consecutive state championships during Lindsey’s and Kaitlyn’s high school careers.

During her freshman season, Kaitlyn wasn’t yet a polished product. She changed her pitching motion and experienced mixed results. The Patriots went 11-7 that season, while Kaitlyn shared time in the circle with the rest of the rotation.

“It was a complete rebuilding process,” Kaitlyn said. “Those four years are what got me ready for college.”

Kaitlyn found her form late in the season, though, leading the team to its first championship since 2001. Lindsey joined the Patriots the next year, and the success continued.

By 2011, Kaitlyn reached the peak of her dominance in the circle, boasting an unprecedented 0.00 ERA as a senior and allowing two unearned runs in 111 innings pitched,— enough to earn her Gatorade Maryland Softball Player of the Year.

Lindsey was an ESPN High School All-American her final year with the Patriots in 2012, leading the team to its fifth straight state title.

LASTING IMPRINT

Despite Kaitlyn and Lindsey’s absence, the homemade gym in the Schmeiser family’s barn still gets regular visits throughout the spring.

After their practices, players on the Northern softball team train into the night, aiming to continue its rich softball tradition.

Callaway holds some of her clinics at Northern, knowing there is a strong contingent of young players who aim to be a part of the storied dynasty that Kaitlyn and Lindsey helped establish.

“Growing up, kids know that you have to put in a lot of time and a lot of effort to be good,” Callaway said. “Those kids are playing on elite level travel teams, and they’re doing lessons every day.”

Though Laurie has lived in the area her entire life, she is popularly known by her last name because of her daughters’ success, and fellow residents constantly inquire about their college careers.

Kaitlyn has become a prominent member of the Terps pitching staff, collecting 40 appearances in the circle this season — nearly double her freshman tally of 23. Lindsey led the offensive charge with a .347 average and 12 home runs from the number three spot in the lineup.

Kaitlyn and Lindsey — as a sophomore and freshman respectively — have bright futures with the Terps, and as they continue their softball careers, the impression they have made on their hometown can only get deeper.

“It’s really surprising how many people follow it,” Laurie said. “The whole thing has come full circle, and that’s what is really neat.”

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