Sweet Home was returning a seasoned roster to face one of the tougher leagues in the state this year as the coronavirus shutdown hit.
Fifth-year Coach Karyn Hartsook welcomed back seniors Jasmine Carter and Ashton Walker in the outfield, infielders Allison Miner, a four-year starter, and Savannah Virtue, as well as some very experienced underclassmen.
“Their fundamental softball knowledge is exciting,” Hartsook said, adding that her players’ softball foundations were built during their formative years, which made it fun to watch and be around them.
The Huskies were coming off a year in which they beat Gladstone 5-4 in the first round of playoffs and lost 3-1 on the road to eventual state champion La Grande in the quarterfinals in what Hartsook described as “one of the best games we played all season.”
Sweet Home finished second in the Oregon West Conference with a 14-4 record and 19-8 overall record behind Philomath, 15-3 in league and 20-9 overall, and ahead of Stayton, 12-6 in league and 17-8 overall.
The Huskies were ranked eighth in the state behind Philomath, ranked seventh, and ahead of Stayton, ranked 10th. Gladstone was ranked ninth.
Sweet Home looked to be particularly strong in the pitching circle, with Walker, junior Savannah Hutchins and sophomore Maddie Harris all available for duty.
“We’re in a unique position to be able to use three pitchers,” Hartsook said. “We definitely used all three of them last year to our advantage.
“My pitching staff supports each other. If they’re not throwing, they want the other pitcher to be successful.”
They aren’t possessive of the circle, she said. “They want to win. That’s what this team is about.”
“I feel like we’re a balanced team,” Hartsook said. “We offer a lot of things that are going to help with our success.”
The girls have been working hard practicing in the of season, she said, and “their will to win is just so apparent.”
In life they’re good students and good citizens who mentor younger players during open gyms, Hartsook said.
“I have kids that can play multiple positions, and they’re confident in those positions. They have awesome personal drive and desire.”