By Keeghan Gittins
Of The New Era
After a strong finish to last season, Sweet Home softball is entering 2025 with experience, confidence and clear expectations.
The Huskies ended last year as the No. 12 team in 4A, earning a play-in win over Estacada before falling to Pendleton in the first round.
Having graduated just two seniors, relief pitcher Jocelyn Fairchild and outfielder Kenadie King, Sweet Home returns a roster full of players who have already seen varsity time.
Every player on this year’s roster has started at least one game, giving the Huskies a level of experience few teams can match. That depth is led by a senior class of seven players who now set the tone both on and off the field.
“Having so many seniors and players with experience has been a great advantage to our team. They have been excellent leaders and I can’t wait to see them reach their potential this year.” said Head Coach Em ily Marchbanks.
That experience has translated into a strong early start. Sweet Home is 2-1 to open the season, with dominant wins over Madras 15-3 and Siuslaw 17-2, while their only loss came in a close 5-4 extra-inning battle on the road at Estacada, ranked No. 2 this week in the 4A Division.
In that loss, the Huskies showed resilience early. After falling behind by three runs in the first inning, both teams remained scoreless until Sweet Home broke through with two runs in the sixth. The Huskies then took the lead with two more runs in the seventh, but Estacada answered to tie the game and eventually secured the win in the eighth inning.
Sweet Home quickly bounced back.
Against Madras, the Huskies started slow with a scoreless first inning before their offense took over. Sweet Home scored 4, 3, 5, and 3 runs across the next four innings, ending the game early due to the mercy rule.
The momentum carried into their third game against Siuslaw. Leading 7-2 heading into the third inning, the Huskies broke the game open with eight runs in the frame, followed by two more in the fourth to secure another mercy-rule victory.
“I think we found our timing with our hitting to get better contact,” Marchbanks said.
That offensive rhythm has been fueled by strong individual performances throughout the lineup.
Sophomore Taylee Rosa has emerged as one of the team’s top hitters early in the season, leading the Huskies with six hits, including three singles, two doubles, and a home run.
“Taylee put in a lot of extra work in the offseason,” Marchbanks said. “She also plays on a summer team and they practice a lot as well. All of her extra practice is definitely paying off.”
Senior Addy Vannice has also made a major impact at the plate, leading the team in RBIs, with Rosa close behind with seven.
In the win over Siuslaw, Rosa drove in four runs, while Vannice added three. Four different players recorded doubles, and five Huskies scored at least twice, showing the depth of the lineup.
In the circle, senior Katriona “Peanut” Harris has been dominant. Through three games, Harris has recorded 22 strikeouts, including a nine-strikeout performance in less than five innings against Siuslaw.
“Our goal is to be better than we were last year,” Marchbanks said. “We are working towards a goal of going to the postseason again this year and hope to continue to improve.”
Rounding out the varsity roster are seniors Anabelle Morris, Aubrey Newberry, Miley Smith, Natalie Smith and Trinity Victor; juniors Aaliyah Brown, Kalissa Ellis and Hannah Sieminski; and sophomores Emmalin Rosa and Kaylee Silacci. Ellis may swing to the junior varsity.
Junior varsity players are sophomores Tiffany Abarcar, Alexus Bernardi, Ziarra Duncan, Trinity Foley and Oakley Freitag; and freshmen Aubree Bartlett, Sadie Dalton, Loki Davis, Eveline Harris, Amaya Smith and Ellie Wagoner.
Marchbanks’ assistants are Ashley Cota, Hailey Johnson and Brent Smith, with Sandy Brown and Caitlyn Gillespie coaching the JV.
Returning to the playoffs will not be a walk in the park. The Huskies face a competitive league schedule, but confidence remains high within the program.
“We have some tough teams in our league, but our team is capable of competing with everyone in our league,” Marchbanks said.
Sweet Home has a long spring break, not playing a game until March 31, when the Huskies will travel to Cottage Grove. The following day will host Molalla.