Softball shows promise under new head coach
In its first season under the leadership of Head Coach Renae Koppenhafer, YVC’s softball team demonstrated steady improvement on the way to notching its highest win total since 2014. After picking up eight wins in its first 31 games the team went 6-7 to close out the season with a 14-31 record (11-21 in the NWAC East).
Koppenhafer was happy to see the improvement and what it showed about the team’s character.
“They had to ‘buy in’ and work hard every day and they did just that,” she said.
Among the team’s achievements were hitting 19 home runs, the most by the team in four years, while pitcher Emmaleena Wood ended the season with 168 strikeouts, fifth overall in the NWAC. Wood was named First Team All Region as a pitcher and Jessica Stanfield was named Second Team All Region as an infielder.
“This is also the first year since 2014 that YVC softball got double digit wins,” Koppenhafer said. “We are well on our way next year to earn that spot at the NWAC tournament.”
While the Yaks played a tough schedule in the very competitive East Region, Koppenhafer was particularly proud of the team’s victory over North Idaho College on Sophomore Day and a road victory over Columbia Basin College.
“The girls have bonded and come together as a team and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of women to coach,” Koppenhafer said. “I am most excited about the opportunity to build an even stronger program next year. We have some very competitive recruits coming in who are hungry and ready to compete at the next level. I hope that the community continues to support our growth and our efforts to bring a competitive program to Yakima Valley College.”
