It was hardly a banner week for the SFU softball squad, as they opened their season with five straight non-conference losses at the Desert Stinger, hosted by the University of Montana-Billings over reading week.

The Clan’s first game — a 9–7 loss to the University of Mary — was one of the team’s best outings of the event.

“I saw a lot of positives and I was pleasantly surprised by our offensive production,” said head coach Mike Renney. That offence continued in SFU’s second game, but the girls allowed 13 runs in a 13–6 loss to fall to 0–2.

“I didn’t think we would put that many runs on the board this early but we still need to put more up than our opponents so we’ve got lots of work to do,” he added.

The Clan were able to hang in against Humboldt State, the defending NCAA Division II West Region Champions in their third contest, but ultimately lost 6–4 to the fourth-ranked Lumberjacks.

But over the next two games, the Clan imploded. SFU lost their final two games, against Fort Lewis College and Regis University, by a combined 22–1; both were decided in just five innings, thanks to the mercy rule.

Despite the tough trip, Renney remains positive.

“A number of our goals [. . .] were met,” he said after the final game. “Primarily, our freshman got in and played a lot so they got a measure of where they are and where to need to get to because clearly we have a long way to go.”

He continued: “I was pleased with our offence early on and unfortunately after a couple losses it disappeared. I think that was a product of us falling behind, and our young players trying too hard.

“We’ll look forward to the next opportunity and hopefully we will enter each game with a purpose and we’ll be working on the things we need to address.”