<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2xDjjU_1H0i8GAZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2xDjjU_1H0i8GAZ00" width="1618" height="1281" ><figcaption>Sophomore Hailey Boer slides in for a run against Idaho State in the team’s last regular season game on April 26. Griz softball just finished its 2026 fall season with a 8-0 record. Jackson Mailey / Montana Kaimin</figcaption></figure>The University of Montana softball team ended its fall exhibition schedule with a 8-0 record, raising expectations and excitement for the 2027 season. The Grizzlies, who were the unanimous last pick in the January 2026 coaches’ poll, and went 22-32 overall in the spring season, took the recent victories during four double-headers at the Grizzly Softball Field in October. Head coach Stef Ewing already knew the girls were going to have a phenomenal start to the fall season after the exhilarating end of last season, where they reached the semifinals during the Big Sky Conference Championship.“I knew that we were going to have a high powered offense this year. We certainly showed that in our fall games,” Ewing said. “They believe when they step out on the field, it doesn’t matter what uniform is playing against them, they just have to go out and play their brand of softball and that they can compete.” Ewing knows the importance of playing good defense and controlling their hitting within the batter’s box in order to dominate the Big Sky Conference.“They really enjoy coming to the ballpark every day to get better and doing the little things that we’re asking them to do,” Ewing said. “This group has a goal to win the Big Sky Conference. But we don’t come here and say that’s our goal, we say that’s our job. That’s what we’re here to do.” Although they had a dominant start to their season, there still is work to do and skills to improve on, according to Ewing“You don’t win a Big Sky Championship in the fall,” she said. “But this fall was able to show these girls, when we asked them to do things and they do it, they’re like, ‘Holy cow, this is working,’ and I think that’s really exciting for them.”With two years of coaching experience under her belt, Ewing has had the opportunity to grow alongside the now junior class, as they were freshmen when she started out.Outfielder Mackenzie Bekofsky, one of a few juniors on the team, is grateful she is on her UM softball journey with Ewing. According to Bekofsky, it has been an honor for her and the other juniors to evolve as people and players with Ewing.“It’s really easy to be happy for our team successes,” Bekofsky said. “We all respect Stef so much as a coach and she respects us, so any success we have is her success as well.”The same amount of love they have for Ewing, she has for them. They have shown leadership to freshmen, sophomores and transfers that have helped improve the game and mentality for the Griz.“The junior class were freshmen when I got here and so, having them and [Madison Tarrant] as upper classmen has really helped to integrate lowerclassmen and get them all going and rowing in the same direction,” Ewing said.In order to compete to their full potential, Bekofsky and the rest of the team have new access to a nutritionist and trainers that care for them every step of the way. It is extremely important that they stay ready and healthy for the season, as injuries are the biggest challenge the softball program faces, according to Ewing.“We have 55 to 60 games in a season, so it’s hard to give your 100% that you could have given in February to March, so we’re taking it as a marathon, not a sprint, and making sure everyone’s healthy, stays healthy and has no injuries,” Bekofsky said. “We’re doing a nutrition challenge, where we try to get the most points with our meals. We send our meals to our nutritionist and she gives us points, see who has more colors, more fruits and carbs.” The Griz are frequently on the road. On weekends when they leave Thursday at 5 a.m. and return Sunday at midnight, these simple challenges and exercising go a long way.Through staying hot for the season and keeping up stretching, the Griz are preparing to compete, reach for Big Sky first place and to prove those who doubt wrong.“People can doubt all they want, but the group that’s in this dugout, they don’t have any doubt, and that’s all that matters,” Ewing said. “We don’t care what people write about us. We can be picked to finish first in the conference or picked to finish last again. And guess what? We’re just going to go play.”</div></body>

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The University of Montana softball team ended its fall exhibition schedule with a 8-0 record, raising expectations and excitement for the 2027 season. The Grizzlies, who were the unanimous last pick in the January 2026 coaches’ poll, and went 22-32 overall in the spring season, took the recent victories during four double-headers at the Grizzly Softball Field in October.

Softball goes undefeated in fall season

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The University of Montana softball team ended its fall exhibition schedule with a 8-0 record, raising expectations and excitement for the 2027 season. The 

Softball goes undefeated in fall season

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