MVNU softball team closes out 2015 season

MVNU softball ended the season last week with an overall record of 19-28, going 16-22 in the Crossroads League.

The Lady Cougars struggled down the home stretch of the season, facing some of the toughest teams in the conference and losing 10 of their last 14 games.

After winning the first four games of the conference season, the Lady Cougars hit a five-game skid. The team then battled through a tough travel schedule, which saw only one home game and 14 games on the road.

In those games the Lady Cougars went 8-7 and were clawing themselves back to a .500 record.

But, going up against the four best teams in the conference at the end of the season, the team exhibited some inconsistent pitching and fielding.

The Lady Cougars landed as the seventh seed going into the Crossroads League tournament.

In their final series of the year, the Lady Cougars swept Bethel College at home, winning 8-0 and 7-5. With two wins to end the season, the Lady Cougars were looking for a boost heading into the postseason.

In the Crossroads league tournamnet the Lady Cougars went up against Indiana Wesleyan University and lost 12-0 in 5 innings.

The Cougars then had a bad stroke of luck and played the third seed Taylor in their second game. They played a close tough game before losing 3-2.

Junior Hannah Shaffer led the Lady Cougars’ offense this season and was named all Crossroads League with a .417 average.

Junior Konnor Byers follows with a .315 average, and sophomore pitcher Courtney Rengert was close behind at .299. Rengert was also named as an Honorable Mention selection to the all Crossroads league team.

Only senior catcher Morgan Wade will be leaving the team this offseason.