Wildcats softball returns everyone
Anytime a team returns the entire starting lineup, it’s generally a good thing for the upcoming season.
That’s exactly the situation at Paden City for the softball team and Head Coach Penny Baker couldn’t be happier.
“It’s extremely important to have everybody back,” said Baker on her lucky situation.
“We didn’t have to start over this year. It’s real nice. We kind of just picked up where we left off last year.
Once again, Kim Davis will lead the team as she is the ace of the pitching staff and one of the seniors on the team who will be counted on for leadership.
Catching duties will go to Vicki Yurisko. Lining the rest of the infield will be Courtney Conaway at first base, Ashley Efaw at second base, Alli Bertozzi at shortstop, and Sydney Frye at third base.
In the outfield, Stephanie West will take the seven position at left field. Amber Palmer will take centerfield and Angelica Phillips controls right field.
In addition to all the aforementioned experience, seven other players will compete for playing time as well.
They include Talesia Dawson, Katie Kline, Bethany Arnett, Kelsey Loub, Leanne Butcher, Johanna Simon and Dominique Craft.
Butcher and Loub will see time in the circle as other pitchers in the rotation, while Craft will compete for time behind the plate as catcher.
Dawson, Kline and Simon are choices for the outfield, while Arnett could play either the hot corner at third base or also in the outfield.
Offensively, strong bats should come from the likes of Yurisko, Bertozzi, Davis, Conaway and Palmer.
Last season, the Lady ‘Cats upset their rival Valley in a sectional game in the playoffs.
Hopes are that this time they will be in decent position to win the sectional championship.
“We’ve got everybody back,” said Baker. “We didn’t lose anyone so we’ve got a lot of game experience. We’re hopeful to go pretty far. We have a pretty good shot at the sectional this year. We are returning the most experienced team in our section.”
They start off the season today at Williamstown before traveling to Kidwell to take on the Lady Silver Knights of Tyler Consolidated in what is hastly becoming a rivalry game.
Tyler Consolidated will make the return trip to Paden City on Tuesday, April 14.
Their home opener won’t take place until this Tuesday, March 24 when they welcome the Bishop Donahue Bishops to the Paden City parks.