Ending its season with a 15-16 record and a loss against Plano East, the varsity softball team keeps a positive attitude about next year.

Coach Lori Alexander says the team just needed to be more consistent through the entire season.

“We are really solid all over when we want to be,” Alexander said. “[We have] strong hitters and strong defenders – we just sometimes lose it out there.”

Haley Howerton, batting in the lead-off spot and playing center field, is one of many on the team who have come through for the Farmers at key points in the season.

“[She] has been probably the most consistent,” Alexander said. “Several of them, though, have been really good in different situations.”

Alexander’s ultimate goal, though the season is over, is to continue to improve the program by enhancing the team’s skills throughout the year, even off the field.

For the Farmers, the biggest challenges of the season – other than their opponents, six of which rated in the top 20 statewide – have been themselves.

“[They have to] be positive and believe because we do as a coaching staff,” Alexander said.

After honoring seniors Hannah Barnett, Jaclyn Ellison, Amber Smith, and Brooke Sinclair on Senior Night, the team will hopefully make a smooth transition to the next season without them.

“I think we will adjust,” Alexander said. “It will be hard but after losing 10 last year this seems like very few. But they will be missed for sure.”

The team motto of “united as one” has been implemented throughout the team by “truly [leaving] the drama out of the locker room and off the field,” Alexander said.

Barnett said she was very proud of the team for pulling through and winning their first match-up against Plano East.

The Farmers came back with two outs, although they were behind by one run in the seventh inning.