By Sara Biela
San Jose State softball’s memorable season came to an end last Friday as Boise State shut out New Mexico 10-0 and claimed the Mountain West title and an NCAA postseason bid.
After the final weekend of conference play, the Spartans (32-17, 16-8 MW) finished second in the division.
Despite not accomplishing its main goal, SJSU displayed many positive accomplishments throughout the season that will carry over into 2019.
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The pitching staff
The Spartans entered the 2018 season with high uncertainty in the circle after losing a star graduating class the previous year.
Junior Madison Aurin (16-13), who hasn’t stepped foot on the rubber in three years, and freshman Caroline Bowman (14-2) proved early on that pitching wasn’t going to be a problem.
In the week of March 12-18, Aurin earned USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week honors for her performances in the circle and in the batter’s box. The dual threat also received two MW Pitcher of the Week honors throughout the year.
Bowman also had an impressive season as she became the first freshman in program history to start her career 11-0. Her ending record is the best start by any pitcher at SJSU.
Both pitchers concluded with a combined 21 complete games, four shutouts and were top-10 for wins in the conference.
2. The ability to compete with nationally ranked teams.
Although SJSU’s only ranked victory came against No. 21 Long Beach State at the time, the team kept a majority of the games close. The experience versus higher-level teams should help next season.
3. Continued execution without a home field.
The Spartans went 7-3 on three different fields up until the Spartans played on Spartan Softball Field in their last conference series against New Mexico.
Traveling out of state wasn’t much of a problem either as SJSU went 10-5 in the MW.
When the field is fully complete, it should build the Spartans confidence level and help continue their home dominance in 2019.
The only two seniors on the team, shortstop Emma Entzminger and center fielder Brittany Abacherli, finished their final year in an SJSU uniform.
Entzminger concluded with a .269 batting average and led the team with 44 runs scored and three triples. Abacherli batted .250 with her seven HRs and 34 RBIs second behind Aurin.
The Spartans will have some big shoes to fill in the offseason.
Although the team did not accomplish back-to-back MW titles, there are still good things to take away. The Spartans will come back hungrier than ever for another ring.
