This spring, the Mountain View softball team is on a mission to make its first postseason appearance in nearly a decade.

The Cougars were in the hunt for a playoff spot a year ago, and, if a couple of games had different outcomes, they might have made their first playoff appearance since 2016.

The team has perhaps the most important trait to make that a reality and break the playoff drought: belief.

“We are going this year,” said Mountain View coach Sarah Stacy. “End of story. It is the girls’ goal this season, and we are going to make it happen.”

Last year’s 12 wins was the most Mountain View has had in a season since winning 13 games in 2017. And with an influx of impact freshmen in Cadence Kennedy, Kallie Eckman and Bailey Fain, a playoff spot feels like a possibility.

“This is probably the most competitive team I’ve been on in four years,” said senior pitcher Ashtyn Clark. “I know all of us want to make it happen. I believe our team works really hard in practice and wants to work hard to get into that starting nine.”

Whether or not Mountain View makes the postseason will be determined how it fairs in Intermountain Conference play, which begins next week. The non-league schedule is done, and with a win over Parkrose Friday afternoon, the Cougars’ secured a winning record through nine non-league games.

Mountain View (5-4 overall) made quick work of Parkrose (0-7) with a 15-0 win in four innings. The Cougars took advantage of nine Broncos errors, tallying 10 hits with eight different players scoring runs.

Freshman shortstop Cadence Kennedy had a stellar day at the plate, finishing with three hits while driving in four runs. Junior third baseman Allie McIntosh scored three runs on two hits and drove in two. Junior Addy Carroll had a triple to finish with two of each — hits, runs and RBIs.

“They did a great job swinging at the plate,” Stacy said. “They had great pitch selection. I was proud of them for that.”

In the pitcher’s circle, Clark came oh so close to tossing a perfect game. The Mississippi Valley State softball signee sat down the first 11 Bronco batters she faced, striking out seven of them.

But with two outs and a full count in the top of the fourth inning, the right-hander’s pitch to Aniyah Burns just missed the zone to give Parkrose its first — and only — baserunner of the afternoon.

Still a no-hitter (her second of the season) isn’t something to scoff at.

“Warming up I felt like it was a good day,” Clark said. “Everything was working. I was just having a lot of fun out there.”

Clarke has thrown every pitch this season for Mountain View, her arm will play a big role in how far the Cougars go.

“She has definitely pushed this team in a lot of ways,” Stacy said. “She shows up every game and wants to play her best, and she continually brings it.”

Mountain View will play its first IMC three-game series against Redmond (a playoff team a season ago) at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.