If you thought the softball season ended when the high school championships were decided a couple of weeks ago, think again.

For members of the Utah Predators — a highly regarded 16-and-under fast-pitch softball team — the season starts now.

With players from Taylorsville High School (five) and Murray High (three) making up the bulk of Predators' lineup, rivalries are put aside, and the players look to position themselves this summer to catch the eyes of college coaches.

"Right now, our focus is to really get these girls as much as exposure as we possibly can," said Predators coach John Brambila.

"Every girl on this team has a goal to play college ball at some level. And I truly believe, at some level, every girl on this team can. Some may play higher [division levels] than others, but if every girl works as hard as they have in the past, they can definitely attain their goals."

First baseman Cami Mathews is one of five members of the Taylorsville High softball team playing for the Predators this season. With the college softball season ending and coaches hitting the recruiting trail, the next three or four months is a crucial time for her.

"Definitely, college ball is one of my goals," said Mathews, who's also realistic about her chances of landing a college scholarship in softball. "I've always known that softball is just a game and you always need to have fun. And yeah, we're going to go to some big tournaments this year. But always have fun [because] a lot of players don't always go to college."

The Predators will spend this summer and fall playing in national tournaments throughout the West. The stops include Las Vegas; Phoenix; Huntington Beach, Calif; and Boulder, Colo. The competition will be against some of the best in the country.

Over the Fourth of July, the team will have a rare opportunity to compete in an elite field (150 teams) at the Independence Day Tournament in Boulder. More than 200 college coaches are expected to be on hand.

"We're really excited about that tournament in Boulder," Brambila said. "We were able to get into the Independence Day Tournament, and from what the tournament organizers told us, we are only the third team from Utah [in the tournament's 10-year history] to get accepted."

But the cost of recognition isn't cheap. Brambila estimates that travel expenses for the Predators will be between $7,000 and $10,000 per player.

Pitcher Alanna Beck played just two games at Westlake High School this season before missing the remainder of the year with an injury. Playing with the Predators gives her an opportunity to shine in front of college coaches.

"I think she hopes she'll end up with a scholarship," said Alanna's mother, Brynn Beck. "The chances of getting a 100 percent, full-ride college scholarship are pretty slim. But if she could get some help paying for her education and do it playing softball — that would be better for her."

Beck said the experience of playing with the team and allowing her daughter to follow her dream is worth the financial cost — even if a softball scholarship never comes.

"We want the college scouts to notice, but if that doesn't end up happing for [Alanna] I still think it would be worth it," Beck said.

In addition to playing in big regional tournaments this summer, the Predators will also travel to college camps in Idaho, Colorado and Nevada. —

Softball summer

The Utah Predators are an elite 16-and-under softball team that's composed mainly of players from Taylorsville and Murray.

The team received a rare invitation to play in next month's Independence Day Tournament in Boulder, Colo. The field includes 150 teams, and some 200 college coaches are expected to be in attendance.

The Predators went 7-0 and won last week's Copper Classic in convincing fashion.