GRAND FORKS — Grand Forks Spitfires outfielder Brooklyn Hofer knows how to adapt to a new level of play.
Hofer started her college career playing soccer and softball at Division III Concordia College in Moorhead before transferring to UND for her sophomore season in 2026.
This summer, Hofer is learning the ropes of another setting. After playing in 15 games with five at-bats for UND in the spring, Hofer is adjusting to the competition in the Northwoods League during the Spitfires’ inaugural season.
Hofer is coming off a 3-for-4 performance Monday night against Mankato. The Cold Spring, Minn., native hit a key RBI double in a three-run sixth inning to hold off a Mankato comeback effort.
“The beginning (of the Spitfires season) was a bit rough for me,” Hofer said. “But I’m stepping in each game with more and more confidence. That has really helped me. I’ve been able to get a lot more barrels, get a lot more hits. I’m just really enjoying playing on this team with all these girls. It’s really fun.”
The Spitfires improved to 17-14 and 7-3 in their last 10 games, sitting at No. 2 in the Northwoods League standings.
Hofer has a four-game hitting streak with back-to-back multi-hit efforts as her averaged has ticked up to .280.
Hofer is hoping to parlay the Spitfires experience into a strong season at UND next year.
As a multi-sport athlete at Concordia, Hofer led the Cobbers in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. She hit .416 in 38 games, earning Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All-Conference honors.
“It was definitely a big step going from Division III to Division I but I left Concordia and wanted to go somewhere and compete more and play at a higher level,” Hofer said.
Grand Forks Spitfires coach Aaron Alvarez said Hofer is reaping the benefits of hard work in recent games.
“That girl works her absolute tail off,” Alvarez said. “She’s gotten better at not getting caught up in the failure of one swing but staying diligent and consistent with her craft and what she’s trying to accomplish.
“I think that hit (in Monday’s sixth inning) was a testament to how hard she works. It wasn’t a cheap hit. She smoked it. That’s against a very good pitcher — a power arm at Minnesota. She earned that. It goes to show the preparation that she is obsessed with.”
The Spitfires complete the two-game series with Mankato on Tuesday night before continuing the six-game homestand. Grand Forks hosts league leader Madison for a four-game series Thursday to Sunday.
Miller has covered sports at the Grand Forks Herald since 2004 and was the state sportswriter of the year in 2019 (NSMA, NDAPSSA), 2022 (NSMA, NDAPSSA), 2024 (NDAPSSA) and 2025 (NDAPSSA).
His primary beat is UND football but also reports on a variety of UND sports and local preps.
He can be reached at (701) 780-1121, tmiller@gfherald.com or on Twitter at @tommillergf.