The varsity softball team.

The junior varsity softball team.

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The Sweet Home softball team is young this year, but most of the Huskies are veterans.

Returning all-league players include juniors Shelbey Gillespie, a second-team catcher; Bayli Riggs, a second-team pitcher; and Hailee Huenergardt, an honorable mention infielder. Sophomores include Emili Riggs, a first-team infielder, and Megan Rubidoux, an honorable mention infielder.

Also returning are junior Ashley Cochran, sophomore Kristen Tolle and junior Tasha Saunders, who was injured and out of action most of last year. She was an all-league pitcher the year before last.

Joining them are senior Katie Nicholson, sophomore Sarah Wyatt and freshmen Megan Graville and Hailey Hummer.

It’s nice to have some depth, said Coach Steve Hummer. His pitching staff is three deep, and he has two or three players for each position across the field.

The whole team has spent a lot of time working for their positions, Hummer said. The depth gives the players something to compete for during practice, making them better players.

“It’s not cutthroat,” he said. “But I want the kids to compete every day at practice.”

Having that depth gives the team flexibility and options, depending on the situation or when a player is injured or sick, Hummer said. If the team needs speed, he can sub in just the right combination.

Gillespie will be the starting catcher, Hummer said. Bayli Riggs will pitch, and Rubidoux has a pretty good lock on third base; but most positions remain up for grabs. Competition for a couple of the positions remains tight.

“Things can change,” he said. “And people are working hard. So we’re far from done.”

At bat, Emili Riggs brought six homeruns last year as a freshman and Bayli Riggs led in runs batted in. Gillespie led in doubles. Huenergardt also brings a strong bat.

Wyatt, Cochran and Hailee Hummer are all fast on the base paths, and Rubidoux and Tolle have improved at the plate, Hummer said. Nicholson is new, bringing a great work ethic.

“She’s a good base runner,” he said. “She’s just a good influence, a good person to have on our team.

“Graville is a very, very good freshman.

“This is one of the most, if not the most, athletic teams I’ve ever coached in softball. From top to bottom, this team is very gifted.”

The Huskies finished third and missed playoffs last year after a 13-8 season overall, Hummer said. Central, league champion, and Newport won the two state playoffs spots for the Val-Co. They were ranked second and fourth at the end of the season.
But the Huskies defeated five or six teams that were in the state playoffs, Hummer said, and they defeated Central once out of three games. He believes they could have beaten Newport, to whom Sweet Home lost, largely due to a few errors, in its final game.

Last summer’s 14U team played about 55 games, and the 16B team won its state tournament.

“We’ve done a lot of work, and we feel we have a lot of depth and the potential to be the league champions and do very well in the playoffs,” Hummer said.

Around the league this year, Philomath and Taft both have new coaches and Hummer expects them to be greatly improved.

He sees Newport every summer, Hummer said, and the Cubs are always athletic and work hard. The team lost several key players, including their pitcher and a key centerfielder.

Central graduated five, but it’s a good program, Hummer said, and the Panthers tend to reload well.

“I think it’ll be a three-team race for the league title,” Hummer said. Central has won the past three years, so it’s the team to beat.

Other coaches have told him how good his team will be and that they may be the favorite to win league this year, Hummer said, but the Huskies still need to work hard and actually do it.

“I believe in our kids and believe we can do it,” he said. “But you’ve got to go out and do it. We’ve got to prove ourselves. We’ve got to beat the Newports and the Centrals.”

The junior varsity includes Jasmin Yoder, Kendra Whaley, Kelli Fanning, Shantel Pitts, Rachel Adams, Kaitlyn Lucero, Hailey Rice, Lindsey Martin, Nicole Bell and Kacie Mauch.

Coaching staff includes Melissa Klumph and Pam LaFollett. Hummer is assisted by Chris Hiaasen again this year.