As they enter the final stages of the regular season, it’s been a rough go for the Belle Plaine varsity softball squad so far. Through Wednesday night, the Plainsmen are 5-13 on the season, according to QuikStats.

Fans of offense have not been disappointed so far, as one team or the other has scored at least 10 runs in 10 of those 18 games. The offensive highlight for the Plainsmen so far was a 12-2 win over Montezuma. They have been shut out just three times this season, but North Mahaska put 22 runs on the board earlier in a 22-4 decision.

In most recent action, the Plainsmen stopped a five-game losing string with an 8-3 win over Sigourney. Junior Joy Cronbaugh has pitched 85 innings in 12 appearances this season. She has 55 strikeouts and 22 walks and a 2.96 earned run average.

Through the first 16 games, Melissa Janss led the team with a .375 batting average. Brenna Ford was hitting .356.

Regional play begins Thursday, July 8, when the Plainsmen host Iowa Valley at 7 p.m. The winner moves on the next night to face either North Linn or Iowa City Regina at Regina at 7 p.m.