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