West Valley Softball Team Hopes To Continue State Tourney Tradition
West Valley has made qualifying to state softball tournaments virtually an annual event, having done so either in slow pitch or fast pitch 10 times in the last dozen years.
With a veteran team back, coach Steve Kent would like to do so again.
“Our goal is to survive league and district,” he said. “Because whoever gets to state can do some damage.”
The Frontier League proved that last year when both West Valley and Colville compiled top-six finishes.
The Eagles won 2-0 when the two teams opened the season Tuesday.
While West Valley and Colville are early favorites, East Valley has made three state appearances and Cheney is another that annually has done well.
Four teams qualify for district playoffs against four from the Northeast A League.
The top two finishers play at state.
“They all are going to have something to say about it,” said Kent.
Eagles as good as their pitcher
Much of West Valley’s success the last three years has been because of pitcher Darcy Sohns.
Sohns injured her knee at state last year, underwent surgery and did her cheerleading this year in a knee brace.
“One of our concerns is to try and get Darcy as close to 100 percent as she can,” said Kent.
Only three Eagles graduated, so she’ll be backed by a veteran lineup, including league MVP Gabby McClintock at shortstop and hitting leader Jennifer Robinson at catcher.
Andrea Green returns at second base, hard-hitting Rachelle Watson is in centerfield.
Another starter, Kara Foss, tore a knee ligament skiing and will move from outfield to first base.
Sophomore Sarah Decker is at third base, senior Alyssa Hendricks and junior Rachiah Boxley are first base prospects.
Outfield candidates are sophomore Angie Burtzoff, junior Adri Imada and power hitting freshman Haley Henry.
Backup pitcher is junior Brittany Gomer.
“Right now we hit as well, if not better than in the past. With new team members you worry about how they’ll come together,” said Kent. “If we keep hitting and get a couple of breaks, we can be in it.”
Knights talented, but young
East Valley has no seniors and few team members with varsity playing time.
“We have four returnees with experience so we’re young, but we’re fairly talented,” said coach Randy Burkhart.
The Knights do have above-averaging pitching in veteran sophomore Rebecca Triplett, junior Tricia Stookey and incoming freshman Tara DeCorte.
“They look good out there and the freshman can bring it,” said Burkhart.
The three are so diverse they can play third base, first base or in the outfield when not on the mound, Burkhart added.
Malea Schumacher returns at shortstop and Ashley LeGrant is back in the outfield or at third.
Elsewhere the Knight lineup will be new.
Junior Christina Casey, sophomore Sara Borgman or junior Misty Seaboldt will catch.
Borgman or junior Staci Haye can play first base.
Second is a question mark, said Burkhart, with either Loni Kurtz or Krista Sauve, the junior candidates. Junior Sara McIntyre is a shortstop.
Outfielders include juniors Perry Hendren, Cheney transfer Supa Lawson and Becky Musgrave.
“It’s nice to have three girls who can throw. Defensively I’m not worried about the infield, but the outfielders and catchers need to step up,” said Burkhart. “The big question mark is, can we score runs?”
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