UCCS’ softball team began their season on a high note, winning three of four games in the South Central Regional Crossover in New Mexico.
The victories on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 set them up to accomplish their goal of having their first winning season since 2022. Barring game cancelations, the team must win a minimum of 29 games to have a season-winning record.
Head coach Dwight Sanders said that the team has five goals for the season: have an overall winning record, win the RMAC championship, positively affect one another in adverse situations, communicate effectively and be DAWGs (Disciplined Athletes With Grit).
DAWG is an acronym coined by the Georgia Bulldogs. Sanders believes the team’s goal to be DAWGs shows the team’s growing confidence and personality. “I truly believe [the goals] reflect their desire to create a winning culture and one that breeds excellence,” Sanders said in an email.
Sanders is entering his second season of coaching at UCCS. Last year, the Mountain Lions finished with a 19-32 overall record and 16-26 in the conference. The team placed eighth of twelve in the RMAC. Prior to joining the Mountain Lions, Sanders coached softball for the 2022 and 2023 seasons at fellow RMAC school Fort Lewis.
Team batting leaders Giana Pancost and Jacqueline Berkowitz return for the 2025 season. Catcher and utility player Pancost had a 0.394 batting average last season, while outfielder Berkowitz had a 0.328 batting average. Pancost and Berkowitz each appeared in over 75% of games last season as freshmen. Junior pitcher Autumn Kunze, who earned an ERA rating of 3.95, is also returning for the season.
The team added 11 players during the recruiting season. Nine joined the team as freshmen, while two have transferred from other universities. Junior outfielder Bailey Olerich transferred from University of Iowa’s Division I team.
The Mountain Lions continue non-conference play Feb. 7-8 at the West Texas A&M Invitational. Their home and conference opening series will be held Feb. 15-16 at Mountain Lion Field.
Photo via The Scribe archives.