Shaun Hudnut has sent the PCM softball team to the state tournament for the first time in school history after the coach sent the PCM baseball team to state in 2010.

PCM Head Softball Coach Shaun Hudnut certainly knows his way around a ball diamond, and he knows what it takes to build a team. Hudnut took over coaching PCM softball in 2019 and after the Mustangs punched their ticket to the state tournament Tuesday night he said that he set an expectation when he first took over of where he wanted the program to be. Hudnut has developed PCM softball into a program that not many teams would want to run into. The 2024 Mustangs have one of the best pitching staffs in the entire state, they are dangerous offensively, quick on the base paths, and are a close knit group with high softball IQ. 

However, Hudnut’s expertise is not just limited to softball. The former Mustang baseball coach sent a team to the state tournament back in 2010 under his leadership. What’s remarkable about this year’s PCM softball team is the amount of young talent that makes up the roster. Lark Drake is the lone senior the Mustangs have this year and Addison Steenhoek is the only junior. The rest of the team consists of eight sophomores, two freshman, and 13 eighth graders. Hudnut has built up a program that has a chance at sustainable success for many years to come.

The Mustangs are 24-4 this season and defeated Clarinda 13-1 Tuesday night in the regional finals. PCM will face Williamsburg in the first round of the Class 3A state softball tournament in Fort Dodge on Monday evening.