Pintos have experience heading into softball season

The California Pintos softball team is getting ready for the upcoming season, starting with the jamboree at 10 a.m. Aug. 24.

Last season the team finished with a record of 15-10 and went to the Class 2 District 13 championship game, where they lost to Holden 12-2.

Pintos Head coach Steven Stock said getting back to the finals is a goal for the team.

"(Our) goals are to compete at the top of the conference, reach the district finals, and just (get) better," Stock said.

With the jamboree coming up, Stock said it gives the team a good indication of where they are at the moment.

"We try some kids at new positions and get some younger kids mixed in, and it gives us an idea of where we are at and what we need to work on for that next week before we actually start the regular season," Stock said.

To get back to the district finals, Stock said the team needs to work on getting better in all phases of the game.

Stock said that the team has been working on reducing their number of strikeouts and has also been working on making plays.

The team will have more experience this year as they have several players returning.

"We have more experience coming back this year," Stock said. "We return several players this year and hope to get big seasons from all of them. We are seeing the experience step up, and some of our kids are being good leaders by example. Some of the things we have worked on in the last few years we are not having to put too much time into it because they have learned how to do those things."

Having players with experience come back for this season has helped the younger players, he said.

"The younger kids see that and follow suit, and good leadership is special to a good team," Stock said.

California Pintos softball schedule

Aug. 24 - Jamboree, 10 a.m

Aug. 30 - vs Smith-Cotton, 5 p.m

Sept. 3 - vs Belle, 5 p.m

Sept. 5 - at Russellville, 5 p.m

Sept. 7 - at Marshall Tournament, 8 a.m

Sept. 9 - vs St. Elizabeth, 5 p.m

Sept 10 - vs Eldon, 5 p.m

Sept. 12 - at Calvary Lutheran, 5 p.m

Sept. 13 - vs Prairie Home, 4:30 p.m

Sept. 14 - California Tournament, 8 a.m

Sept. 16 - at Eugene, 5 p.m

Sept. 17 - vs Versailles, 5 p.m

Sept. 19 - at Southern Boone, 5 p.m

Sept. 23 - at Knob Noster, 5 p.m

Sept. 24 - vs Warrensburg, 4:30 p.m

Sept. 26 - vs Pilot Grove, 5 p.m

Oct. 1 - at Blair Oaks, 5 p.m

Oct. 3 - vs Boonville, 5 p.m

Oct. 7 - at Jamestown, 5 p.m

Oct. 8 - vs School of the Osage, 5 p.m

Oct. 10 - vs Hallsville, 5 p.m

Oct. 14 - at New Bloomfield, 5 p.m

Oct. 16 - Oct. 19. at District, TBA