This year, the Wildcat softball team is ranked No. 3 in Division III. They may only be partway through the season, but they have already come a long way.

“We are a young team, but we are showing up and winning a lot of games,” said catcher/utility senior exercise science and secondary education major Ashlyn Aven. “We have got a tough part of the season coming up; otherwise, pretty confident with this team so far.”

They have already won three out of four games against Lewis and Clark College, though Pacific Lutheran University still stands in the way. Nevertheless, the team believes in their ability to come together to overcome tough opponents and push themselves every practice in pursuit of that goal.

“A lot of reps, a lot of hours. Just putting a lot of time and effort into crafting our skills and getting better every day,” said Aven. “We put so much time and effort into reps just so that we can always be improving.”

Head coach Jackson Vaughan drives the team to show up for practice and keep going through those reps. The team is especially close this year, with a robust team spirit and improved communication.

This spirit manifests in supporting teammates whenever they need it and in the deep bonds formed. All team members add something to the lineup and are willing to put in the effort it takes to go far.

“It is plain, for my teammates, and knowing that everyone else is working just as hard as I am,” said designated player and first base freshman exercise science major McKenna Parmelee.

Many seniors graduated last year, but the team has not let that stop them. The two current seniors have taken on the role of mentors for the numerous newer players and fostered team bonding, ensuring the team came back swinging.

One pregame tradition is for the team to vibe to music in the dugout, while another is to shake teammates’ hands. Many members of the team may be young and getting used to playing at the college level, but they have risen to the challenge and found their respective niches.

“I think that we have good bats all the way through the lineup and everyone is contributing,” said Parmelee. “I just think that we are ready to drive more hardcore than a lot of the other teams, and we are ready to go put it all out there on the field.”

The team believes they have a decent shot at reaching the College Softball World Series. Until then, they will go as far as all their effort can take them.

Their next double-header will be home games against University of Puget Sound on the 25th of March at 12 and 2 p.m.