While the success didn't show in the wins or losses, California head coach Darrell Bolin saw it in his team's attitude.
The Lady Pintos ended the season 3-20 overall, finishing off their season in a wild 11-10 loss in 10 innings against Russellville at the Class 2, District 9 Tournament last week.
"What impressed me the most was the not-ever-give-up attitude," Bolin said. "That was one thing we definitely needed to work on, one thing we definitely improved on from last year to this year. The girls always gave 100 percent until the very final out. There wasn't any giving up and wanting to get out there, it was always, "let's keep trying'. That was probably the biggest thing I've noticed."
Bolin talked before the season about knowing what to do in certain situations, but not just knowing what to do, forming those instincts. While he admitted his team did have a lot of throwing errors, but knowing what to do with the ball and not throwing the ball around were the first steps.
"A lot of it was just fielding the ball and knowing what to do," Bolin said. "The girls always knew what they needed to do. We didn't throw it around a lot, didn't waste a lot of throws. We made a lot of throwing errors, so a lot of it has to do with being smart with the ball."
Entering the season, California's No. 1 and No. 2 pitchers were both freshman, so Destiny Cook and Kaitlyn Turner could only see improvement in their first season at the varsity level. Turner battled a back injury for most of the season, but pitched in a marathon game in the district tournament against Russellville. She nearly threw 200 pitches in her 10 innings of work.
"She absolutely pitched her heart out," Bolin said after the game. "She hadn't thrown from a long time and for the last couple of days (leading up to the game), she's been working with coach (Clair) Lorenz and trying to get back in condition. It was phenomenal.
Speaking of the never-quit attitude, it would have been easy for the Lady Pintos to stop playing after Russellville came from behind to tie the game, then regained the lead 10-7 in the bottom of sixth. Down to its last out, California's Braleigh Johnson blasted a three-run home run to dead-center to extend the game to extra innings.
That game in-particular is one thing Bolin wants to use to build upon for next year.
"That created a lot of excitement," Bolin said. "The hardest part of our schedule was at the end of year, and the girls always battled."
California will lose four seniors from this year's squad: Alison Acton, Samantha Beckham, Kaylee Vanloo and Jenna Reynolds.
Bolin credits Reynolds and Acton's commitment to the game and their work ethic. He called Vanloo the quiet leader of the team, and will miss the banter between him and Beckham in practices and games.
"The hustle mentality, that's what I'm going to miss about (Acton)," he said. "(Reynolds) was one of those that was always ready. She was one of those that didn't say a lot, but when she spoke, everybody took it to heart.
"Sam and I had a lot of fun this year. She was full of energy. (Vanloo) brought leadership, stability. That's the things that you can't always coach or can't teach."
For the returning players, they better be ready for the offseason workouts in the weight room. Bolin stressed the importance of getting stronger this offseason.
"We've got to get strong to fight off some injuries next year," Bolin said. "We're going to be in a very good condition."
Hitting and throwing techniques, stuff they can do indoors during the Winter will be points of emphasis during the offseason. The catchers will also be working on cutting down some of the passed balls that plagued the Lady Pintos this season.