By Alex Valle — Content Editor
San Jose State’s softball season ended in second place in the Mountain West Conference for the second-consecutive season.
The Spartans (37-16, 17-7 MW) just barely missed its first NCAA Tournament bid since 2017. The season did however reveal many bright spots for all fans to be excited for looking towards next season.
After completing her freshman year, it’s evident that pitcher Jenessa Ullegue is a cornerstone to this program.
She was awarded with the 2019 Mountain West Pitcher of the Year with an outstanding 1.85 ERA through her 136.1 IP.
Ullegue (17-5) was used in all pitching scenarios posting 14 complete games and four saves with 104 Ks.
She was the best pitcher in the whole conference during her freshman year, and she’s one of the best hitters on the team.
San Jose State had four players hitting over .300 and three pitchers in the top 10 for ERA.
Looking towards next season SJSU will be able to keep most of its core players despite the departure of infielder Madison Aurin, catcher Alyssa Avila and outfielder Kristen Heffley.
It will be a challenge replacing these three athletes in the upcoming season, but being able to find the offensive consistency that Madison Aurin was able to bring last season will be difficult.
She was second in batting average and ERA for the Spartans and was arguably the most important player to the Spartans’ consistency.
Avila has been a leader behind the plate for SJSU and was able to successfully continue rallies when the Spartans needed her.
Heffley was always able to step up to the plate when called upon to start in the outfield or be a designated hitter.
During some of these starts against Purdue, Cal State Fullerton or Colorado State, Heffley was successful in producing runs.
Because of these three athletes graduating, there is an opportunity for the next woman up.
Two players to look out for to get more playing time next year is sophomore outfielder Taylor Tiger and junior catcher Grace Garvey.
Tiger played in 46 games, but only started in one of them hitting four for nine.
Even with such a small sample size at her offense she should be a factor in the lineup going forward.
Garvey will most likely assume the role as starting catcher after she started 14 of the 16 games she appeared in.
With such success on the mound and the ability to keep base runners moving from their offense the Spartans should have no problem being able to continue their success into next season.
It will be exciting to see these young players grow more under head coach Peter Turner and his coaching staff.
This is one of the most successful programs for San Jose State and it should come as no surprise if they are able to make the push next season for a NCAA Tournament bid.
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