Hall of Fame
One of the elite pitchers in Gustavus softball history, Joyce DeWitz Barnard possessed an unflappable demeanor with the ball in her hand, which resulted in a record-setting career.
A two-time NFCA All-Midwest Region and three-time MIAC All-Conference selection, Barnard still owns nine program pitching records, highlighted by a 1.53 career ERA, 61 career victories, 89 career starts, and 106 career appearances. Barnard also holds single season records for appearances (34), games started (31), innings pitched (195.1), victories (21), and strikeouts (196).
Serving as the team’s ace since her sophomore year, the Gusties continued to improve with Barnard in the circle. Barnard helped the Gusties take third place in the MIAC her sophomore year, improved to second place her junior year, including the program’s first ever 30-win season, and culminated her career with another second place finish in the MIAC and an appearance in the NCAA regional round. Barnard finished her career with a 61-24 record, 16 shutouts, and 537 strikeouts in 535.2 innings. She fired three no-hitters and the only perfect game in Gustavus softball history in a 7-0 win against Macalester on April 14, 2005. Her career marks for innings, strikeouts, and shutouts were program records at the time of graduation and all currently rank second. During Barnard’s four seasons, the Gusties accumulated an overall record of 111-52 and went 72-16 in the league.
After graduating in 2007 with a major in history, Barnard played professional softball in New Zealand until 2008. Barnard has been the swine operations manager for her family farm since 2007 and co-owner of Barnard Farms since 2019. For the past two years, Barnard has owned and operated Rejoyce Bridal in Amboy, Minn. Joyce lives in Good Thunder with her husband Joe and their two children, Deacon and Donovan.
