PRESCOTT — After missing the state playoffs a season ago, Prescott softball players are eager to prove they belong.

The Badgers (9-6, 0-1 4A Grand Canyon) started the season 5-1 with blowout victories over Peoria (19-0) and Ironwood (9-3) in the mix, but back-to-back 10-0 losses, including their region opener against Coconino this week, has forced the club to continue its focus on improving every aspect of their game.

“I want us to grow better under pressure, tight games, and stay within ourselves and be more confident,” senior shortstop Kennedy Carr said during a rain delay prior to Tuesday’s loss at home against the defending Grand Canyon region Panthers.

“I think our team has gelled together well. We’ve been working hard in practice, making it game like. Going through games to get better every time,” Carr added. “We’re ready to rock and roll, doing what we can. We’re hanging in there.”

Carr leads the team with a .459 average, including 17 hits and 11 runs scored with 12 RBIs, six doubles, a triple, and a home run.

RJ Parra, who entered Tuesday’s game against Coconino with a 7-1 record and a 1.44 ERA in eight starts in the circle, thinks this Badger club can return to the state playoffs.

“I would say state playoffs is a goal for sure. Really, just getting better as a whole because we’re a young team,” said Parra, who has 100 strikeouts in 58-1/3 innings pitched so far this season.

“We’ve lost some seniors, several starters. [But] the underclassman have helped a lot coming up,” Parra said.

Prescott last made the state playoffs in 2022, a 12-1 loss to Canyon Del Oro, which lost to then No. 1-ranked Salpointe Catholic 10-7 in the 4A state championship game.

UP NEXT

With 11 games to go, Prescott is focused on games with Mingus, Mohave, Flagstaff and Lee Williams before the regular season ends April 18 against cross-town rival Bradshaw Mountain.

The Badgers will travel north to Flagstaff and play Coconino on Thursday, March 21. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on Twitter @AzPreps365Brian. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.