Despite a 22-25 season that ended with a heartbreaking 5-3 loss to Portland State University on May 3, the Weber State University softball team remains focused on the positives.

“To the untrained eye, this season for the Weber State University softball team would seem like a total loss,” Wildcats head coach Mary Kay Amicone said. “But it’s the best season we have had since (the softball team was reinstated in 2010).”

With a 22-25 record (4-10 in conference play), the Wildcats finished fifth in the Big Sky Conference, one place short of a postseason berth. Despite a strong showing in the preseason, including a victory against rival BYU, the team suffered injuries and rained out games as it struggled through the rest of the year.

This season also marked major improvement for the players. Senior shortstop Brooke Silva improved her batting average 100 points from last season to end the year with a .358 average while leading the team with 84 total bases.

“Statistically we had an amazing year,” Amicone said, “Though the wins weren’t matching our improvement, we still did amazingly.  Add to that our players not only improved on the field but improved in the classroom as well.  Our grades haven’t been higher as a team.”

The pitchers also had a stellar year, with senior right-hander Jasmine Ioane and junior right-hander MaCauley Flint posting solid numbers for the Wildcats. Flint ended the season with a team high 2.43 ERA and 143 strikeouts, while posting a team best 10-8 record. Ioane posted the second best ERA (3.71) and opponent batting average (.273) for the Wildcats, while making 23 appearances in relief.

Six Wildcats were recognized with all-conference honors by the Big Sky Conference at the conclusion of the season. Flint was named to the all-conference first team, while Ioane and sophomore third baseman Alyson Kulp were named to the all-conference second team. Silva, freshman outfielder Sarah Hingsberger and junior catcher Mylee Davis all received honorable mentions.

The Wildcats will have eight preseason games this fall and will begin their regular season in February.