Softball preview
Team-by-team reports as submitted by area coaches:
CLASS 4A GREATER ST. HELENS LEAGUE
BATTLE GROUND
Coach: Steve Taylor
Key players: Haley Hamilton, sr.; Krystina Fischer, jr., p; Delany Kelley, jr., 1b; Mickenzie Sachen, jr., c.
Outlook: The Tigers have nine returning varsity starters who have played varsity the past two seasons. That experience makes the Tigers contenders for the league title. Hamilton, Fischer and Kelley are two-time all-league players.
CAMAS
Coach: Ken Nidick
Key players: Amee Aarhus, sr.; Erin Tauscher, sr.; Harli Hubbard, jr.; Lena Richards, jr.; Katie Schroeder, so.; McKenzie Farnham, sr.; Rio Smith, so.; Hannah Welborn, jr.; Cailyn Grindy, jr.; Tori O’Neil, so.
Outlook: The move up to 4A will be a challenge for the Papermakers, but they have the talent to deal with that move. Aarhus was an All-Region player last season. Tauscher, Hubbard and Richards were all-league players. Schroeder had an impressive state tournament as a freshman, and newcomer Farnham gives Camas added depth.
EVERGREEN: No report submitted
HERITAGE
Coach: Angie Michaelis
Key players: Leila Stutesman, sr., of; Dalaney Tuholski, so., 1b-c; Allie White, jr., p-1b.
Outlook: Stutesman is a three-time all-league pick. White is a two-time all-league player, and Tuholski was a first-team all-league player in 2012.
SKYVIEW
Coach: Kim Anthony
Key players: Madison Anthony, sr; Michelle Brincefield, p; Emily Dobbin, jr., cf-p; Michaela Lee, sr., of; Jessica Schaub, sr., 2b; Emily Garcia, so., c; Megan Settje, jr., ss-c.
Outlook: The Storm lost five seniors from last year’s roster, but they have a talented group of returning players. Anthony is a four-year varsity player, a three-team all-league pick and an All-Region player of the year.
CLASS 3A GREATER ST. HELENS LEAGUE
COLUMBIA RIVER: No report submitted
FORT VANCOUVER: No report submitted
HUDSON’S BAY: No report submitted
KELSO: No report submitted
MOUNTAIN VIEW: No report submitted
PRAIRIE: No report submitted
CLASS 2A GREATER ST. HELENS LEAGUE
HOCKINSON: No report submitted
MARK MORRIS: No report submitted
R.A. LONG: No report submitted
RIDGEFIELD
Coach: Ed Bate
Key players: Carly Estes, sr.; Shannon Boyle, jr., p; Megan Holman, sr., c; Shyanne Chandler, so., ss-c; Sam Rice, so., 3b; Madeline Ochoa, fr., p; Jenna Rogers, jr., of.
Outlook: Pitching will be a strength of the Spudders as they return to the 2A GSHL. Estes, Boyle, Holman are returning all-league players.
WASHOUGAL: No report submitted
1A TRICO LEAGUE
LA CENTER
Coach: Randy Martinez
Key players: None listed.
Outlook: The Wildcats had 39 players turned for their program, but the bulk of them are young players. La Center will have no seniors and three juniors on the roster. Even so, the Wildcats expect to contend for a district playoff berth.
WOODLAND
Coach: Damon Yeo
Key players: Emily Tesdalel, sr., c; Makayla Lefever, sr., p; Emma Pilkington, sr.; Karlee Dyson, sr.; Madie Sorenson, jr.; Kendall Grell, so.; Gracie Trice, so.; Taylor Jouwsma, so.; Reanna Fitgerald, so.; Jessica Flanagan, fr.
Outlook: The Beavers return to the 1A Trico as one of the favorites in the league. Tesdale, Lefever, Pilkington, Dyson all played for the 2010 state championship squad. Lefever was a two-time 2A GSHL league MVP. Tesdale was an first-team all-league pick last year.
No other reports submitted
