Pintos softball aims for district championship appearance

<p>File</p><p>The California Pintos softball team is working for a chance to get to the district championship game this season. The Pintos fell just short last season, falling in the semifinals to Calvary Lutheran 4-3.</p>

File

The California Pintos softball team is working for a chance to get to the district championship game this season. The Pintos fell just short last season, falling in the semifinals to Calvary Lutheran 4-3.

The California Pintos softball team is looking to improve on last season's postseason run this year.

Last year, the Pintos ended the season with a record of 19-5. Their season ended after a 4-3 loss to Calvary Lutheran in the semifinals of the Class 2 District 9 tournament.

Head coach Steven Stock said that going into this year, the team has goals of continuing to improve, playing as well as it can and, at the end, sights on playing for a district championship.

"We are working on all aspects of the game," Stock said. "We want to improve daily and be the best we can be at the end of the season."

After last year's successful season, Stock said the team knows what it has to do.

"I do not think they are putting any extra pressure on themselves, but I think they understand that we need to work hard and get better as we have a good chance of competing for a district championship," Stock said.

The team has been focusing hard during its practices, Stock said.

"The girls have shown good focus and realize that we have to put in hard work now so we can get better every day," Stock said.

The team will be looking to have contributions from everyone this season. Stock said no one player will be the focal point, as he expects everyone to step up and help the team find success.

"We will be counting on every player, as it takes every player to contribute what they can for us to be as good as we can be," Stock said. "From pitching, to catching, to fielding, to base running, it takes everyone giving what they can to be a successful team."

California Pintos softball schedule

Aug. 22 - 10 a.m., Jamboree at California

Aug. 28 - 5:30 p.m., at Smith-Cotton

Aug. 29 - 9 a.m., at Marshall Tournament

Aug 31 - 5 p.m., at St. Elizabeth

Sept. 1 - 5 p.m., at Belle

Sept. 3 - 5 p.m., vs. Russellville

Sept. 8 - 5 p.m., at Eldon

Sept. 10 - 5 p.m., vs. Iberia

Sept. 11 - 5 p.m., vs. South Callaway

Sept. 12 - TBA, at California Softball Tournament

Sept. 14 - 5 p.m., vs. Eugene

Sept. 15 - 5 p.m., vs. Versailles

Sept. 17 - 5 p.m., vs. Southern Boone

Sept. 21 - 5 p.m., vs. Knob Noster

Sept. 24 - 5 p.m., at Pilot Grove

Sept. 29 - 5 p.m., vs. Blair Oaks

Oct. 1 - 5 p.m., at Boonville

Oct. 5 - 5 p.m., vs. Jamestown

Oct. 6 - 5 p.m., at School of the Osage

Oct. 8 - 5 p.m., at Hallsville

Oct. 12 - 5 p.m., vs. New Bloomfield

Oct. 14-Oct. 18 - TBA, at Districts at Knob Noster