SLIPPERY ROCK — Successes had been few and far between for the Slippery Rock High School softball team.

Until now.

The current wave of Rockets has gone a long way toward putting the program on the District 10 map, as has fifth-year coach Dan Hindman.

“He's a difference-maker,” junior catcher Julianna Hutchinson said. “He's taken such an interest in us. Coach Hindman knows a lot about the game and he's helped us improve as players.”

Hutchinson, who hit over .400 last season, is being recruited by Akron, Kent State and Dayton. She would become the third player on the upcoming 2018 team to accept a Division I scholarship, joining pitcher Cheyenne Hindman (Eastern Michigan) and third baseman Macy McCall (Wright State).

A couple of other Slippery Rock players may wind up with Division II softball programs after they graduate.

The Slippery Rock softball program has not sent many players to collegiate softball in recent years. Former Rocket catcher Alexis Vogan hit .541 for Butler County Community College last year. Former pitcher Morgan Robinson, a 2010 graduate, went on to play at John Carroll University.

“We were one win (for the season) my first year here,” Hindman said. “We've averaged a record of 15-5 the past three years. This year's seniors helped start that run as sophomores.

“This team is into softball all the time, throughout the calendar. That's what it takes these days because that's what the other teams are doing.”

Though the official high school softball season is in the spring, Slippery Rock practices once a week and plays in a fall league in Liberty, Ohio. That league consists of five or six Sunday doubleheaders.

“It keeps the girls involved in the game, swinging a bat,” Hindman said.

Hutchinson has been playing travel softball since age 9 for the Thunder Elite in Ohio, which actually runs the fall Sunday league. Cheyenne Hindman and McCall have played for the Ohio Outlaws.

Slippery Rock second baseman Ayslyn Duffy, shortstop Brynn Horner, left fielder Taylor Balint and backup catcher Alex Frazier are other Rockets playing summer travel ball.

“This fall league really benefits the junior varsity players and girls who don't get to play that much,” Hutchinson said. “And it helps you feel more comfortable with your teammates.

“Our whole group ... We're together all the time.”

They're even together during the winter as Hindman takes the squad to Thiel College, where they practice and have scrimmages twice a month in December, January and February in the Tomcats' indoor facility.

“We're not the only team that goes up there,” Hindman said. “I've seen other coaches have their teams there when we've been there.”

Ken Wilson is in his first year as president of the Slippery Rock Softball Boosters Club. He has helped spearhead some fund-raisers as the team wants to play down in Myrtle Beach, S.C., in March as well as the Cal Ripken Complex in Maryland.

“We're all trying to take this program to the next level,” Wilson said. “That's what all of this is about. We've won three straight region titles. Now we want more.”

Slippery Rock was denied a berth in the District 10 semifinals last spring by an extra-inning loss to General McLane.

“This is our year. This is our chance,” Hutchinson said of the 2018 season.

Cheyenne Hindman will be back on the mound next spring — sporting a 1.61 earned run average and 116 strikeouts last year — though Eastern Michigan recruited her as a utility player.

“Pitching makes such a difference and Cheyenne is the best we've got,” Coach Hindman said of his daughter, who hit .434 last year.

McCall didn't play softball for the Rockets last spring, but is coming back after competing in track and field.

Hutchinson said she understands why McCall didn't play last spring. She did play travel ball over the summer.

“She needed a break. I get that. We're around softball all year,” Hutchinson said.

Not that she minds it. None of these girls do.

“The fall and winter programs, building team chemistry, it's all part of the process,” Hindman said. “I've been coaching softball for 19 years and this is probably the most talented team I've had.”