Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
The Huskies are fielding an experienced, though young, softball team with the departure of only one senior, Ashley Wall, last season.
“Everybody else is still intact,” Coach Steve Hummer said. “We have four seniors, so we’re still pretty young.
“The kids have set the goal to be conference champions. They’ve got their goals set high.”
In game play, Sweet Home wants to improve its consistency, Hummer said. Last year, the Huskies had some difficulty in consistency on the field, committing too many throwing and fielding errors.
“I think that consistency will lead to more wins,” Hummer said. That means elimination of throwing and field errors.
“One of the neat goals I think they set, they want to bring respect to girls softball,” Hummer said — respect among the community, parents and students.
The Capital Conference will be balanced this year, Hummer said. Around the league, Molalla will be tough, and Cascade, which lost in the finals at last year’s state tournament, will again be tough.
Stayton also is a “very good team,” with many good athletes, Hummer said. Sisters has improved, along with North Marion, from what Hummer hears.
“Anybody can beat anybody on any given night,” Hummer said.
The Huskies are hard workers, Hummer said, and he believes they will do well. At an optional practice last week, nine of 11 showed up at the gym.
“They’re doing the extra work it will take to meet their goals,” he said.
Last year, the Huskies defeated Stayton twice in a row to reach the state playoffs, Hummer said. They handily won the first round of state playoffs before Banks eliminated them in the second round.
Only two of the Huskies have not played varsity before, Hummer said. Junior Makenzie Marchbanks is in her third year pitching, and junior Sara Brocard will be behind the plate — “A great leader and tough competitor,” the coach said.
Senior Nicki Aerni, co-MVP of the basketball team, returns at second base, Hummer said. “(Junior Michelle) Cliver’s a very skilled shortstop. (Sophomore) Jessalyn Seiber and (senior) Cait Thireault in outfield are very fast, with good atheleticism.”
Freshman Kaci Pettit will play first base and is “a very talented girl,” Hummer said. Sophomore Idahna Huenergardt returns to third base with her “tough, hard-nosed” style.
Junior Olivia Lake will play first base and outfield.
Also at first will be senior Dani Thireault, who is still recovering from a volleyball injury, Hummer said. She had surgery during the winter season but is working out with the team and rehabilitating her knee.
“We’re just hoping through hard work and a lot of praying to get Dani back,” Hummer said. “She’s hoping (to play by) spring break. I’m hoping for that too.”
Senior Bethany Emmert has been fighting the aftereffects of mono, Hummer said. She’s been practicing, attending practice daily and doing everything she can.
“We want to go as far as we possibly can into the state tournament,” Hummer said. “They have some goals to be playing into June. We have a lot of athletes and a lot of good kids.”
Hummer, in his first year of coaching the team, said part of the preparation for the new season has been “me getting to know them and them getting to know me.” He said he and his players are busy working out philosophy, discipline, technique, signals and the other differences that come with a change in coaching.
“That just takes a little bit of extra time,” Hummer said.
Hummer is assisted by coaches Dave Draper and John Seiber.
Becky Ellis is coaching junior varsity with assistance from Doug DeMille.
The junior varsity roster includes junior Frankie Tagle at second base and outfield, sophomores Becky Spencer at first and third, Chelsea Gregory at pitcher and infield, Alex Thompson at outfield, Cayla Eastin at first, Kim Bell at pitcher, Stefani Brock at catcher and Kali Mauch at outfield and first.
Freshmen joining the junior varsity include Tiffanie Cuilla at infield, Jasmine Gill at infield, Laura Gourley at infield and catcher; Jenny Hamn at catcher, first and outfield, Allison Rice at infield and Lacey Mink at infield and pitcher.
Softball
Schedule may be subject to change. If in doubt, check weekly schedule in The New Era.
Wednesday, March 15 At Newport 4 p.m.
Thursday, March 16 Elmira 4 p.m.
Thursday, March 16 JV at Elmira 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 18 Marist Noon
Tuesday, March 21 Sisters 4 p.m.
Thursday, March 23 At Cascade 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 25 Junction City Noon
Monday, March 27 Douglas Noon
Monday, March 27 JV at Douglas Noon
Saturday, April 1 At Central Noon
Tuesday, April 4 Molalla 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 6 Stayton 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 11 At North Marion 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 13 At Sisters 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 18 Cascade 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 20 At Molalla 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 25 At Stayton 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 27 North Marion 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 2 Sisters 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 4 At Cascade 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 9 Molalla 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 11 Stayton 4:30 p.m.
Monday, May 15 At North Marion 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 17 Tiebreaker or 4 at 3 2 p.m.
Friday, May 19 4 at 3 doubleheader 2/5 p.m.
Monday, May 22 State First Round TBA
Wednesday, May 24 State Second Round TBA
Friday, May 26 State Quarterfinals TBA
Tuesday, May 30 State Semifinals TBA
Saturday, June 3 State Finals TBA