The varsity softball team ended its season with a 0-8 league record, but is planning to build on the skills learned this year for upcoming seasons.

While the young squad faced hard losses throughout the season, players were able to bond during their practices and over their defeats.

Head Coach Claire Rietmann-Grout’s goal for the 2016 season is to take baby steps toward a better record, and she hopes that over the next several years the team will continue to grow. She is proud of the team’s attitude and the way players worked hard and came to practice every day.

“My philosophy as a coach is that winning is a byproduct of the things we do together as a team, whether that is working hard on the field, team bonding or community service,” Rietmann-Grout said.  “If we do those three things really well, and we work hard together, that is when we are going to get the wins.”

The squad is currently looking ahead to next season when the team, which is mostly made up of current sophomores, will be older. It will have remained mostly intact due to the loss of only two seniors. There will also be an increase of players on the field that will help ease the stress on current team members.

“I am excited to get a break from throwing so much and to have other girls to help me out,” pitcher Hailey de la Vara ’17 said.

Training and practice will continue over the summer to ensure that the team continues to enhance its skills during the offseason.

“I think next season we will improve even more,” shortstop Ashley Waco ’18 said. “Now that we have the basics down, we can continue to grow at a faster rate.”