The Tiger softball team wrapped up their season in May with their second-straight fifth place finish in the NCAA Div. III finals tournament.
The team won its first game of the tournament against Messiah College, 2-1 but dropped the second 3-11 to Christian Newport College, the national runner-up.
In the losers' bracket, DePauw took on the State University of New York in Cortland but lost 8-14, ending their season.
"They played outstanding," said head coach Bonnie Skrenta. "They were hitting great and Emily Bicheler was pitching great. What was striking to us was just the depth that these teams had, at the end of late long days, you could see fatigue especially when so many runs were scored."
While the Tigers' starting lineup could match up with most Div. III teams in the nation, its bench could not compete with those of SUNY Cortland or the eventual Div. III champion, Linfield College.
"We all talked about how important depth is and getting two or three starters at one position," Skrenta said. "We do have two starters at catcher with Haley Buchanan and Amy Hallett, and that's where we need to grow."
Buchanan and Hallett both hit home runs in the tournament.
To further improve, Skrenta said the team needs to develop depth behind the starters to relieve them in long games. During regular season games, the Tigers were able to turn to their bench for tough situations and often came out on top. With another year of experience, that bench has the capability of carrying them further.
"I think our bench players are really important especially in college in comparison to high school," Hallett said. "DePauw's strength is our bench, and next year they are going to be even better. And whenever we get in trouble we can turn to them. They know their role, and they are always excited to be on the team being productive."
The fifth place finish was the team's third in the past five years, and the team may produce again this spring as only three players graduated.
"I am so proud of the current players and even the former players who have built this program," Skrenta said. "They worked so hard, and it's really exciting to see that hard work pay off. Being fifth in the nation again is just a thrill."