Getting an early start on developing the winning ways they will need when they get to South Whidbey High School next year, the eighth-grade girls softball team at Langley Middle School finished its fall season on top of a 6-4 record.

The fastpitch Cougars ended their season on a high note by defeating Snohomish’s Centennial Middle School team 8-4. Pitcher Catie Newman went the distance by hurling a three-hitter and striking out 10 batters. Jessi Eaton, Jenna Dunsmore, and Caitie Newman provided the offense along with Lacey Greene, who scored three times during the game.

Playing in the North County Middle School League, the Cougars played teams from Monroe, Everett, Marysville and Lake Stevens.

Leading hitters this season included Newman, Greene, Amelia Pernell, Marcella Litwiller, Jenna Dunsmore, Jessi Eaton, Marie Enell, and Silver Keck. On defense, Anna Miller, Sara Hicks, Laura Smith and Noelle Carty kept the games within reach.

The team voted Ariel Schmidtke and Ashley Stonebridge as the most improved players on the team. Eaton, Newman and Greene were chosen as most inspirational.