The BYU softball team had a great year thanks to unmatched leadership from three senior players, fresh game from talented first-year players and motivation from the coaches that drove everyone involved to success.

One of the Cougars' assets is the coaching team, led by head coach Gordon Eakin. Eakin was named Coach of the Year at the 2008 Y Awards.

"He is a great coach and knows what he's doing," said Daniela Snow, a senior pitcher and first baseman. "I am very grateful I got to play for him and he really cares about his team, which makes us all want to play better."

In the beginning of the season, the Cougars were favored to win the Mountain West Conference softball regular season title, by other coaches in the league. BYU received five first-place votes and San Diego State received one. However, BYU ended up second in the conference behind the Aztecs, but still ended up with a record of 44-20.

"It's an honor to be held in such a high regard by our conference opponents," Eakin said at the beginning of the season. "I believe our conference has a lot more parity this year, and any of the teams could step up and climb the ranks."

The season started out on a high for the Cougars at the Red Desert Classic Tournament in St. George, where they went 5-for-5.

Going into the season, the Cougars had high hopes about what the next few months would bring.

"I thought we were going to do really good," Snow said. "We had a lot of talent, so I was very excited. I was hoping I would do well this season since it was my last year."

Snow proved to be a vital member of the Cougar softball team over the past four years and was especially crucial to the team this season. She led the team at the plate with a batting average of .408 and 66 RBI's and was second on the team in homeruns, knocking in 17, second only to sophomore Angeline Quiocho's 18.

Other seniors Christina Gwyn-Trice and Emi Snow-Willing also added to the success of the team this season. Gwyn-Trice's presence on the mound was felt with 245 strikeouts and a 1.68 ERA, and Willing had 32 RBI's and started 62 of 64 games.

The seniors led the team to victory on the field through their team-building skills.

"The seniors provided leadership and led by example," freshman pitcher Paige Affleck said. "They definitely set the bar."

Although much credit is given to the most experienced on the team, the players realize it was a team effort to end the season where they did.

"A lot of freshman stepped it up and did a great job," Snow said. "Everyone contributed to the leadership."

Affleck shone on the mound this season, pitching multiple no-hitters, and was named Mountain West Conference co-pitcher of the week multiple times during the season.

Kristin Delahoussaye is another newcomer to the team who worked hard and boosted the Cougars to a winning season. She said she will be working hard in the "down time" to be better for next season.

"The team could out-hit every team, but we didn't get the clutch hits every time," Delahoussaye said. "We need to work on stringing our hits together."

The Cougars will miss the graduated seniors who guided the young team but look forward to a bright future, Eakin said.

"The team will be even better next year," Snow said. "They are getting six recruits that are outstanding athletes. The team is already outstanding, so they'll be really good."



Copyright Brigham Young University 23 May 2008