The fun meter on Mountain View’s softball team this spring it’s pretty high, and keeps climbing.
On a 1-10 scale, players say it’s a 10, and in reality, it’s 100.
“It’s so much fun when we get to practice together,” senior shortstop Jocelyn O’Campo said. “It’s so much fun. … we can have fun and get down to business, and do what we have to do.”
And they’re having fun winning games, too. The Thunder are 12-1 (8-0 in league) after Monday’s 14-2 five-inning home win over Hudson’s Bay. The win total matches last year’s 12-8 team that reached bi-districts.
Already, Mountain View is thinking more.
“This is a big year for us,” junior pitcher Sydney Brown said, “and we’re excited.”
Monday, the offense shined in addition to pitcher Hailey Paull’s six strikeouts in the circle to earn the win. Six players collected at least two hits, including O’Campo hitting in the lineup’s No. 3 spot.
Her two-run home run was part of a seven-run third inning for Mountain View, which won its ninth straight.
For O’Campo and center fielder Serena Fogg — two seniors who’ve been in the program all four years –Mountain View’s growth hit a high point this year.
Three years ago as freshmen, the Thunder won four games as a 4A GSHL member. That’s long in the rear-view mirror of what players and coaches describe as a better overall dynamic that’s focused on team success.
Fogg, a Quinnipiac University signee, calls it one cohesive unit.
“We all trust each other,” she said, “and there’s no stigma by being an underclassmen. We all know everyone can produce.”
And then there’s the big wins. Brown no-hit Kelso, the reigning league champion, on April 15, striking out 17 batters in a 2-0 win.
Brown called those wins a breakthrough moment for the team.
“Beating Kelso and Prairie was huge for our program,” she said. “Being (among) the top dogs this year is really fun. We’re not used to it.”
Coach Ashleigh Byrne has been part of the program for six years at her alma mater, but her first as head coach. It doesn’t surprise Byrne to see the team’s success, she said, but knows there’s lots of games left to determine the Thunder’s fate.
And that starts with more big games on the horizon, as part of what she calls “telling week.” A lot will be told, she said, how Mountain View does in Round 2 against Prairie Wednesday and Kelso Friday.
And what they hope is continued success as the calendar soon turns to May.
“They’ve got it all going for them,” Byrne said. “I hope this is the year for them. These girls deserve this.”
