The fall softball season drew to a close Thursday after two games of the Black and Gold World Series, leaving the Gold team in the winner’s circle with a 5-4 and 9-1 victory in game one two, respectively.

Gold team members consisted of the following: pitchers junior Jenni Brooks and sophomore Kelsey Sterneker, freshman Cassidy Kelsheimer playing catcher; redshirt senior Cacy Williams playing first baseman, volunteer assistant coach Kevin Hooper on second base, freshman Kaylee Huecker at shortstop, senior Liz Broyles on third base, sophomore McKenzie Adams at left field, junior Kelli Spring at center field and junior Macklin Hitz covering right field.

“I’m really confident in this team,” Hitz said. “We have a strong foundation with a lot of options on the field.”

And those options have worked to the team’s advantage during the fall season, getting them ready for the bigger challenges that lie ahead — spring games, Missouri Valley Conference games, pursuing a conference title and more if the team plays their cards right.

“We’ve had a great fall,” head coach Kristi Bredbenner said. “We’ve got solid defense, great offense and the pitchers are really coming together. Overall, I’m happy with the fall; we can all walk away feeling good.”

With the confidence carrying over from fall to spring, many players, such as Hitz and Spring, said there is a lot to look forward to.

“I’m excited to help the team,” Spring said. “With me moving to the outfield, it gives us options on the infield that make us stronger than before.”

Until the spring season starts, the team will continue to work and get better, Bredbenner said.

“I’m ready to step up and be a leader for this team,” Spring said. “I’m ready to prove a lot of people wrong. We can get to the MVC Tournament and get past the first game.”