With the anticipation of a new season on the horizon, the Husky girls softball team readies itself for a shot at redemption following a challenging 2022-2023 campaign. Under the steady guidance of Coach Emily Marchbanks, the team is committed this season to overcoming past setbacks and emerging stronger than ever.
Reflecting on the trials of the previous season, Marchbanks emphasized the importance of mental toughness.
“Our goal is always to reach the postseason,” she said. “We’re focused on pushing our team to be mentally resilient.”
Acknowledging the youthfulness of their roster, which includes two seniors, two juniors, seven sophomores and one freshman, Marchbanks recognized the necessity for consistent performance.
“We have a very young team,” she said. “We’ll have to work harder to maintain consistency and mental toughness throughout the season.”
Despite their relative inexperience, the team finds strength in the leadership of their seniors.
“Our seniors are really stepping up in their leadership roles,” Marchbanks said.
Last season finishing 122 in the state, the Huskies struggled with an overall record of 7-14 and a league record of 2-8. Their home record stood at 2-6-0, while they performed slightly better on the road with a record of 5-8-0. Despite the setbacks, Marchbanks sees potential for growth.
“We’ll have to work harder to stay consistent,” she affirmed. “But our goal remains the same: to push for the postseason.”
As they bid farewell to four seniors from the previous season, Marchbanks expressed confidence in the abilities of the incoming players.
“We lost four seniors last year, and we miss them all,” she said. “But our new players are doing a great job filling their shoes.”
With renewed determination and a clear focus on their objectives, the Huskies could be primed to reclaim their position among Oregon’s softball elite as they prepare to take the field once more.
