As the season comes to a close, not one of them cares about two consecutive winless seasons, or anything else negative for that matter. The Skaneateles softball team is only looking ahead. And the future looks good.

Before the season, coach Bob Braunitzer told his team he'd enter the Lakers in the open sectionals tournament if they won five games -- seemingly a tall order for a team that hadn't won in a while.

After starting 0-4, the Lakers could have been easily discouraged. Instead, they went out and won their first game in two years against Marcellus on April 21, and then beat Hannibal five days later. In their second-to-last game of the season, they beat Hannibal again for win No. 5.

"We had a lot of unknowns in the beginning of the season, and then a lot of things just sort of happened," Skaneateles coach Bob Braunitzer said. "Alex Hughes pitched great for us; she had just a really good year. She helped us tremendously and we had one steady person on the mound. Our hitting also improved. In the games we've done well in, we've been able to put pressure on early and we've had much more consistent hitting."

Braunitzer also credits the team's 5-13 finish to more experience and sacrifice from a key player.

Valedictorian Alyssa Turose was in competition with Hughes for the starting pitcher position, and when Braunitzer told them he needed to make a decision, Turose was willing to make the jump to the outfield.

"Alyssa sacrificed for this team. She was 100 percent behind being the backup pitcher and going to the outfield," Braunitzer said. "That helped us tremendously, and it solidified both positions."

The pitching position was a big factor in the turnaround. Braunitzer credits second-year assistant coach Michelle Callahan with helping Hughes develop in the pitching circle. She tossed 60 strikeouts this season, averaging just more than three a game. Edmunds, in particular, was impressed by Hughes' performance.

"We had an absolutely incredible pitcher this year. She is just getting better," Edmunds said. "This team, when I look at them is depressing for me because they have so much potential, but I'm not going to be around to see it."

Senior Andrea Edmunds and juniors Kara Beuhler and Katelyn Minturn have also been key defensive players. Beuler in particular has been an asset at the catcher position and led the team in stolen bases.

"No one steals on Kate," Braunitzer said. "She has a tough arm and is very strong. She has done a very good job."

Before Tuesday's sectionals game at Christian Brothers Academy, Edmunds was the only player on the roster to experience a playoff game or a winning season. She has been on the team since eighth grade and admits the last two seasons were difficult for her to play through.

"I realized this season how much I took winning for granted. The last couple of seasons have been really hard," Edmunds said. "It has also brought back my love for this sport. It's so hard because I'm going to miss my team so much."

While Braunitzer has instilled a sense of winning and camaraderie in his team on the field, Beuhler believes her team has been successful because of what has happened off of it.

"This year, we're a lot closer in general," Beuhler said. "There is more joking between all of us. We have team breakfasts and team dinners. There is just a sense of unity that hasn't been there before. We're all friends now."

Braunitzer feels that despite losing the sectionals game to CBA, there is nothing but good things ahead for his Lakers. They will graduate four seniors, but will undoubtedly bring up more talent from the JV squad, which has been loaded this season. That will be in addition to the current varsity players, which will only be more experienced and hungry for more wins next year.

"I know the girls feel good about the team and so do I," Braunitzer said. "Who knows if we'll ever be back on top again, but that's what we strive for."