Intermountain League Softball
In predicted order of finish:
Lakeland Hawks
1999 records: 20-5 overall (3rd at state), 12-0 league (champs)
Current record: 0-1
Coach: James Pizelo, 2nd year
Top returners: Loni Baumann, senior, pitcher; Bobbi Jo Tweedy, sr., right fielder; Jen Curran, jr., left fielder; Aubrie May, sophomore, third baseman; Teea Stutheit, soph., first baseman; Sara Weller, soph., center fielder; Jen Heuett, soph., catcher.
Top newcomers: Stephanie Tierri, freshman, second baseman/p; Kim Janhsen, soph., shortstop/p.
Coach’s comments: “It’s going to be a fun, challenging year. Defensively, we’re strong. Offensively, we’re coming along.”
Outlook: Lakeland is still the class of the league. But the Hawks don’t figure to run away and hide from the conference this season. Until proven otherwise, all teams are chasing Lakeland.
Timberlake Tigers
1999 records: 14-6, 8-3
Current record: 0-1
Coach: Mike Menti, 1st year
Top returners: Casi Reisenauer, sr., ss; Angie Carhart, sr., 1b; Heather Kreider, sr., cf; Kerinsa Jennings, sr., c; Amy Logan, sr., of; Jessica Forsberg, sr., lf; Tiffany Miller, jr., 3b; Molly Tiemeyer, jr., 2b.
Top newcomers: Lisa Fox, freshman, p; Kati Carhart, frosh., p.
Coach’s comments: “We have to make sure the freshmen are relaxed when they’re pitching. We have to be scoring runs behind them.”
Outlook: If the Hawks stumble, the Tigers are poised to pounce on them. Timberlake could win the league outright as it returns some of the top talent in the league. But freshmen pitchers will have to carry a big load.
St. Maries Lumberjacks
1999 records: 13-11, 6-6
Current record: 5-0
Coach: Craig Wicks, 2nd year
Top returners: Tiffany Holdahl, sr., ss; Lindsey Harpole, sr., cf; Kristin Duke, sr., 3b; Lauren Cuvala, sr., 2b; Essie Nelson, sr., 1b; Tammy Addington, sr., c; Alaina Hammons, jr., rf; Marian Hammons, jr., lf; Shena Charles, soph., p; Nikki Gibson, sr., p.
Top newcomers: Holly Eberlin, soph., utility; Kim Sines, soph., u; Katie Smith, soph., u.
Coach’s comments: “We have a lot of experience. They have a good grasp on how we want to run things.”
Outlook: The Lumberjacks had a late-season charge last year, and return several players. They will pose a challenge for Lakeland and Timberlake. St. Maries has the horses to knock off the top teams.
Priest River Spartans
1999 records: 6-14, 5-10
Current record: 1-1
Coach: John Mullaley, 5th year
Top returners: Nikki Yount, jr., p/u; Jacque Boncz, sr., p/inf; Lawshawna Johnston, sr., 3b; Des Queen, sr., c/1b.
Top newcomers: Cherilyn Wallace, jr., c/inf; Shawna Cox, soph., cf.
Coach’s comments: “Their work ethic has been superb. They know they have a lot of work to do to be competitive in the league.”
Outlook: The Spartans lost two starters - Tiffany Troudt (ss) and Donna Knicely (c), both juniors - to injuries. The injuries will test the Spartans’ depth. Priest River will have to be content being the best of the rest.
Bonners Ferry Badgers
1999 records: 1-15, 1-13
Current record: 1-1
Coach: Ron Pluid, 2nd year
Top returners: Kayla Howlett, sr., p; Raija Erickson, sr., p; Megan Pluid, soph., ss; Julie Bateman, jr., 1b/c; Miranda Erickson, soph., rf; Lindsay Morris, jr., 3b; Stefanie Florea, jr., lf; Brenda Eby, jr., 2b.
Top newcomers: Jodi Blackmore, frosh., cf; Sarah Copeland, frosh., p.
Coach’s comments: “We’ve got a lot of potential. The best thing I like is they’re starting to understand the game. We have some experience now. It’s not like starting something new.”
Outlook: The future is bright, but the Badgers are likely to take a few lumps from the upper-division teams. If the Badgers persevere, they could be a challenger as early as next year.
Kellogg Wildcats
1999 records: None, this is first year of program
Current record: 0-2
Coach: Tony Kerfoot, 1st year
Top players: Kim Fisher, jr., p; Jennifer Groves, jr., 1b; Jody Rose, jr., ss; Megan Cox, frosh., 3b/p.
Coach’s comments: “I’m sure we have to close the gap where we’re at in starting a brand-new program with no seniors and no returning players. We just don’t know how big that gap is yet.”
Outlook: It’s big. Lack of experience is a big hurdle the Wildcats must overcome. And it won’t happen this year. Kellogg must do a lot of learning this season.
This sidebar appeared with the story: Players to watch Casi Reisenauer, senior, shortstop, Timberlake Loni Baumann, senior, pitcher, Lakeland Tiffany Holdahl, senior, shortstop, St. Maries Angie Carhart, senior, first base, Timberlake Nikki Yount, junior, pitcher, Priest River Kayla Howlett, senior, pitcher, Bonners Ferry