BYU softball looks to build on success

By KEITH JENSEN

The BYU softball team completed another successful season, winning its third consecutive MWC title, and the Cougars expect to build on their success as the team moves into a new conference next season.

BYU softball coach Gordon Eakin said he would classify his team’s season as successful, but intimated he expects the program to keep progressing.

“I think any time you win a conference championship and proceed to a regional, you have to deem the season a success,” Eakin said. “But we’re still reaching. It’s not enough and we want more.”

The Cougars finished in first place in the MWC for the third consecutive year with an 11-2 conference record, but the season ended after BYU lost twice to the University of Washington in the NCAA Regional Tournament.

After starting the season slow, losing 13 of its first 21 games, the Cougars showed character and finished the season strong, even winning a pair of games against Auburn in the NCAA Regionals.

“This was the most difficult year for me as a coach,” Eakin said. “But also the most gratifying because of where we were early and where we ended up.”

The team finished with a 40-18 overall record, including a nation leading 23-game home win streak, which will carry over to next season.

The expectations will be high next year for the Cougars, who will  compete as part of the Western Athletic Conference. Eakin said his team’s focus will remain consistent even with the move.

“We have very talented players remaining and very talented players coming in,” he said. “My expectations are no less than what they’ve been this year and they continue to grow every year.”

Eakin said the softball program is in a good place and will continue to build upon the success of this past season.

“We just need to continue to do what we’re doing,” Eakin said. “Our program perpetually rejuvenates itself. We have a culture and that culture moves it forward.”

The Cougars will lose five seniors to graduation who together comprise the winningest class in BYU softball history.

“Our seniors were Mountain West Conference champions three out of their four years,” Eakin said. “They proceeded to regionals all four years and a super regional one year. I don’t know how it gets a whole lot better than that.”