BURNABY — The Simon Fraser University softball team closed out its season, dropping a pair of games to the Concordia Cavaliers in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play Sunday at Beedie Field. The Clan was eliminated from playoff contention on the second-last day of the regular season.

While the Clan was unable to clinch a berth in the 2016 post-season, the team increased its win total over the 2015 season. With 16-6 and 10-1 losses to CU, the Clan moved to 26-24 on the season improving on their 17-30 record from last season.

The Clan's 12-16 GNAC record was good for sixth in the conference, just four games back of a playoff spot.

"As with the end of every season it is bitter sweet. We have to say goodbye to our seniors and this year with six it was harder than most, but while sad to see them go it is exciting to see them move on to their next stages of their lives after university," said Clan head coach Mike Renney.

The Clan season was highlighted by a career-year from senior Nicole Ratel, who  ended the season with a .402 batting average and team-leading 10 home runs and 48 RBIs. 

A number of seniors also left having climbed into the top 20 of a number of all-time Clan softball marks:

Senior Rachel Proctor of Surrey finished 6th all-time in At-Bats, 10th in Hits (146), 11th in singles (110),  and 23rd in Run Scored.  She also finished with a career batting average of .330.

Senior Alex Baylak of Regina finished 2nd all-time in At-Bats (494), 15th in Hits (135), 8th in Doubles, and 16th in RBIs. She is first all-time in Put Outs with 1100.

Ratel is 4th all-time in Home Runs (17), 13th in RBIs (87) and finishes with a career .302 Batting Average.

Renney also coached his 18th .500 win season, and 15th 25 win season during which he picked up his 600th career win. Renney now has a career 604-313 win-loss record.

"We would have liked a better outcome today but with our elimination yesterday we had no wind left in our sail," said Renney. "We took advantage of the extra innings to get all of pitchers some innings and playing time for some of our youngsters that have not had as many opportunities."

"Finishing above .500 was one of our team goals so it was good to achieve that as much as we would have preferred to have qualified for our conference playoffs with more consistent conference play," continued Renney.

Simon Fraser won three of four games against GNAC champion Central Washington but faltered against the second through fourth place teams. 

"All in all it was a season full of ups and downs but we were a couple of breaks away from where we hope to end up next year," said Renney.

Be sure to follow Clan Athletics on Twitter @SFUClan for up to date scores, schedules and statistics for all Clan teams.

--@SFUClan--