With several starting positions up for grabs, the Sisters High School Outlaws will open their 2008 softball season on the road March 10 against Mountain View of Bend.

“We’ve got some good competition for starting berths taking place,” said coach Tom Mauldin. “The girls are showing a lot of versatility. And while the competition makes it hard to determine a few of the starting spots, it’s a very good problem for any coach to have.”

Three players have made the coaches’ decision easy — starting pitcher, shortstop and center field with all-Sky-Em League players Sam Stoneback, Jenna Sneva and Jenny Kaiser penciled into the starting lineup.

“Sam is throwing well and seems to have more velocity than last year and Jenna and Jenny look to be in midseason form, defensively anyway,” said the coach.

Stoneback lead the Sky-Em in strikeouts last season with 10 strikeouts per game. She also had the league’s second best earned run average. Sneva tied school records for base hits (31), stolen bases (14) and set school standards for runs scored, on-base percentage and batting average (.430). And she missed two games.

Returning third baseman J.J. Ashley also earned all-Sky-Em League honor and is penciled in at third. Mauldin said she will hit, bunt, run and gives the team experience. Ashley set a school record for sacrifice bunts last season. Freshmen McKenzie Cooper may see time at the hot corner, too.

Position by position, versatility is creating competition. Behind the plate, senior Camille Pedersen and freshmen Cassie “Sugar” Hernandez are “neck and neck.”

Any one of four players could start at first: Pedersen, Hernandez, Cassie Huber or Hillary Renz.

Renz, Stoneback and Cooper are in the mix at second. Stoneback will play there when Renz is pitching.

Joining Kaiser in the outfield will be a combination of Ashley Huber, Brenna Mooney, Kiana Jimenez and Hernandez could find some time there, too. And Cassie Huber, Renz and Pedersen can play the outfield, also.

“It’s that good depth that has a lot of people optimistic,” said Mauldin. “Ashley Huber has good speed and flat out goes to the ball. Mooney has a cannon of an arm and Jimenez has improved daily since joining the team” (after basketball season).

The coach said hitting would be a determining factor. And it wasn’t likely for a starting lineup to be named until their final preseason practice.

“We haven’t hit a lot this year. We’ve been working on defense and determining which dozen players to carry on the varsity,” said the coach. “We’ve made that difficult decision and now starting spots are on the line.”

The Outlaws have been spending more time on defense this year than last. The coaches determined that the 100-plus errors committed last season were a sore spot and needed extra attention.

“Our goal is half that amount this year and with the experience and ability level we have, it’s realistic,” said Mauldin. “If we can give the pitchers support defensively, we’ll be in every game. If the competition level for playing time remains high and I see no reason why it wouldn’t, things will work out well. It’s a good group of girls to be working with.”

The Outlaws had a few other freshmen battling for varsity time, too, creating additional energy. In a varsity scrimmage last week, freshman Zoey Wavrin was named player of the game. She’s slotted in as the junior varsity’s No. 1 one pitcher. Mauldin also praised the play of freshmen Missy Calavan and M.J. Schulte.

Assistant varsity coaches this season are Mark Bremer and Dawn Cooper . Matt Macauley is heading up the junior varsity team being assisted by Kurt Lange.

“Having this group of coaches and steady support from volunteer Ray Stoneback bodes well for the program,” said Mauldin.

The March 10 opener at Mountain View (Bend) begins at 4 p.m. The Outlaws host Crook County March 12 at 4, then travel to Burns for a midday doubleheader on March 15.


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