Last year the Sweet Home softball roster was dominated by freshmen and the Huskies surprised some people by making the state playoffs, then showing their “age” in a 21-2 loss to Cascade, a team they had defeated earlier in the season.
This year most of those Huskies are back, young but very experienced for their age.
The team returns three seniors €“ Paige Niemi, Tiffanie Cuilla and Laura Gourley. Niemi was second-team all-league outfielder last year. The year before she was first team.
They are joined by six returning sophomores: Dakota Hesberg, Bayli Riggs, Tasha Saunders, Hailee Huenergardt, Ashley Cochran and Shelbey Gillespie.
Riggs was named first-team all-league pitcher as a freshman. Saunders received honorable mention at first base and pitcher. Gillespie received honorable mention at catcher.
They are joined by two freshmen, Megan Rubidoux and Emili Riggs. The team has no juniors.
“Essentially, we’ve lost one starter from last year’s team,” Coach Steve Hummer said. Becky Spencer graduated, leaving a team of young veterans. Even the incoming freshmen have plenty of experience going into the season.
Emili Riggs played probably 75 games during summer 14-and-under softball, and Rubidoux played around 45 games, Hummer said. “I’m expecting a bunch from them. I think they’re going to be really good.”
The sophomores will be key, Hummer said.
“The nice thing about freshmen is they’ll be sophomores next year.”
That year is here, and they’ve got a year of experience behind them plus summer ball, he said. The team doesn’t have to focus as much on basics.
“We’re moving a lot faster and getting a lot more done,” Hummer said. He is hoping the team can get more technical as a result.
Among seniors, Niemi has three years of experience on varsity, he said. “She’s a really valuable kid. She’s a role model for people. You can be an adult and use her for a role model.”
She is active in three sports and even more extra-curricular activity, noting her recently winning the VFW’s Voice of Democracy contest as a testament to her character, he said.
She is a “a darn good softball player,” he said, and she is a leader.
Gourley is tough, he said. She started on the junior varsity last year and moved up to start in the state playoffs.
“Tiffanie (Cuilla) really plays well,” he said. She started getting into the running for a starting spot last year, and she leads by hard-working example.
Last year, the Huskies finished third in the league behind Central and Newport. It was the third year in a row the team made it to state playoffs.
It was a tough season, Hummer said, and the team went through quite a bit of difficulty, so he is proud of how his players performed.
“We expect to go to the state playoffs every year,” Hummer said, but now “it’s time for us to not only make state playoffs but to win there.”
Bayli Riggs and Saunders will pitch again this year, Hummer said. They will also spend time at first base. Gillespie will catch, backed up by Emili Riggs.
Cochran and Cuilla will work at second, while Emili Riggs and Huenergardt will handle short.
Emili Riggs, Rubidoux and Huenergardt also will see time at third base. Niemi, Hesberg, Gourley and Huenergardt will play in the outfield.
“One of the things I like about this team, every person can play multiple positions,” Hummer said. Every spot on the team has competition, something it didn’t really have last year. “Kids are going to have to fight for their jobs.”
Across the league, Central remains the team to beat with eight returning seniors, Hummer said. Two years ago, Central won the state championship two years ago with those players as sophomores. Last year, the Panthers’ best pitcher, Kayla Auer, was injured.
There are others in what is likely to be a very competitive league.
“Newport will be good,” Hummer said. “They lost a few seniors last year, but they’ll be solid.”
Philomath is returning a senior pitcher that keeps the Warriors in games, he said. “If you get a good pitcher, it’s a good place to start. You’ve got to play well to beat them.”
Hummer thinks Sweet Home has a good shot at finishing second in league behind Central this year, he said.
One of the keys to that will be inside the circle, he said. “I think once the season gets going, having an all-league pitcher in the circle is going to be nice.”
Offensively, Emili and Bayli Riggs, Gourley and Huenergardt all can pop the ball out, likely over the new fence that surrounds the Huskies’ outfield, Hummer said. Cochran and Cuilla will give the Huskies speed.
“We’ve just got to make sure we take care of the ball defensively and be consistent,” he said.
Hummer is assisted by Chris Hiaasen again this year.
Pam LaFollett is in her first year coaching junior varsity. She is assisted by last year’s coach, Melissa Klumph, and Becky Spencer.
The junior varsity roster includes Erin Rose, Jasmin Yoder, Mindy Smith, Kendra Whaley, Carii Syfert, Sarah Wyatt, Kristen Tolle, Trysta Lewelling, Hailey Rice, Cortnie Cuilla, Kellie Pollock and Jazmine Morris.