Fall season wrapping up for Coyote softball

The University of South Dakota softball team will wrap up its fall season Oct. 12, as it takes on the Minnesota Gophers in a two game set in Minneapolis.

The Coyotes have spent the fall season playing games in preparation for the spring, when they will begin conference play. The team has only one loss this fall, which came against the Creighton Bluejays Sept. 22. Last year ,the Coyotes gave up 15 runs to the Bluejays, compared to just two this year.

Sophomore Yvon Minogue, who plays first base, said that’s a big improvement from last year.

“Everything is starting to improve a lot more than last year, which is great for us,” Minogue said.

While the exhibition games might not count toward conference play, junior catcher Allie Daly said the team uses these games to work out their kinks.

“We’ll spend a lot of time working in the cages to become better hitters and pitchers,” Daly said. “Come spring I think we’ll have a good shot at the conference title.”

One aspect the Coyotes are trying to work on this year is becoming a more well rounded team, not just on the field but off it as well. Head coach Amy Klyse said the team focuses on its study and eating habits, as well as trying to get to know one another better away from the diamond.

“We just try and get better every day,” Klyse said. “We are doing everything that we can to set ourselves up to win a conference tournament in the spring.”