“The Bobcats are out in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs for softball!” is not what we’re used to hearing.

But past glories are just that: in the past. And with so many developing players on the roster, every year can’t be the Bobcats’ year—no matter how much we want it to be.

The Beaver Area softball team ended this season with a split 6-6 conference record and a losing overall record of 7-10.

The Bobcats had a three-game losing streak towards the end of April with tough losses against Montour, Hampton, and Chartiers Valley.

The final scores were 17-6 against the Spartans, 10-5 against the Talbots, and 5-1 against the Colts, approaching the ending of the Bobcats’ regular season.

“We tried our best but things didn’t go the way we wanted,” sophomore Sami Springman stated.

Despite these losses the Cats knew that their season wasn’t over and kept fighting for a spot in the WPIAL playoffs.

The softball team then recovered with a four-game winning streak between April 26 and May 8.

Beaver Area left the field victoriously in their games against Blackhawk, Ambridge, and North Catholic—twice.

The softball team defeated the Cougars in a 5-1 game after losing against Chartiers Valley 5-1 just the day before.

The Bobcats then faced the North Catholic Trojans twice April 27 and again May 4.

After both games, Beaver Area left with huge wins. The final score was 11-1 after the first game and a times-two blowout 22-2 after the second.

On their home field May 8, the Cats continued their winning streak with a senior night victory against the Ambridge Bridgers. The final score was 8-1.

During this game the Bobcats also had fun recognizing their two seniors and captains for the year. The Bobcats said goodbye and good luck to seniors Grace Thompson and Kayla Cornell with cowboy hats, tiaras, and a much needed win.

Beaver Area had a game scheduled May 8 against Upper St. Clair, but it was postponed and later canceled due to rain.

The Bobcats then traveled to Mohawk May 11 in a non-conference matchup against the Warriors. This matchup was the final game of Beaver Area’s regular season.

May 15 the Bobcats traveled to Gateway for the first round of the 4A WPIAL playoffs against Indiana high school.

Sadly, the Bobcats were eliminated by the Indians from the playoffs with a final loss of 9-0.

This marked the end of a two-year WPIAL victory streak for the Bobcats.

Here’s hoping that next year puts the Bobcats back where we’re used to seeing them: on top.