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Softball seeks trifecta
The Advocate
For Coach Meadow McWhorter and the Lady Saints softball team, it has become more of a norm rather than a hope to bring home an NWAACC championship after winning back-to-back titles.
They are back in the same position with a preseason ranking of No. 1 in the NWAACC poll. "It's nice to be respected," McWhorter said. "But the polls mean nothing to us. We have the goal coming in, to out-work the rest of the NWAACC. We set our goals high."
For the seventh year in a row, McWhorter avoided naming a captain. She said she feels the team operates better that way. "Different leaders emerge every day," McWhorter said. "Great leaders also know how to follow. We have some freshmen who are leaders. That usually doesn't happen."
McWhorter knows one of her team's biggest strength is the depth of her pitching staff with returners Anderson and Schriber. They have also added freshman Kendra Groom, who will fill in for Myranda Sawyer, last year's number three pitcher.
"She had a successful fall," McWhorter said. "She's a complement to the other two (pitchers). She's more of a down-ball pitcher."
As impressed as McWhorter is with her pitching staff, she said her middle infielders could be the best duo in the NWAACC with Kealiinohomoku and Galusha filling those spots.
"Toughest middle infielders in the NWAACC," McWhorter said. "Both can swing it and they are incredible on defense.
"Our philosophy is, if you can hit we will find a spot for you in the lineup."
The one spot McWhorter is most concerned about is who would fill the shoes of Fulkerson behind the dish. That was shortly answered when they signed freshman catcher Alexis Cline.
"That was (is) going to be a big spot to fill," McWhorter said. "I've known A.C. (Cline) since she was about 10 years old. I told her, 'When you get older you're going to come play for Mt. Hood.'"
Asked what the team needs to work on, McWhorter said, "Being aggressive, Sometimes they are too focused on the fundamentals. It's okay to swing out of your shoes sometimes."
McWhorter said that thought process will change some once they see live action since the team has only been on the field a handful of times.
"It comes with experience. Fight has to come out once we start playing. We're just itching to play."
The Lady Saints are scheduled to play in the annual South-Inter region tournament in Vancouver, Wash., on March 12. The team will face the Douglass Royals at 2 p.m. followed by a game with Shoreline Dolphins at 4 p.m. Both opponents are from the Northern Region.
Who: No. 1 Mt. Hood Lady Saints softball team.
Last season: (33-9, 14-6), beat Southwestern Oregon Lakers 7-4 in the NWAACCChampionship game at Delta Park.
Head coach: Meadow McWhorter, ninth season
Who returns: Sophomore starting pitchers Kayla Anderson and Chelsie Schriber, who dominated on the hill a season ago en route of picking up the NWAACC title. They combined for an overall record of 21-4 with an ERA of 1.35. Speedy outfielder and Southern Region Co-Most Valuable Player Jessica Guy finished the season with a .427 batting average. Redshirt freshman Mai Galusha is expected to have an immediate impact following season-ending knee surgery after tearing her meniscus.
Key departures: All-American third basemen Nicole Colpron (Montana State University Billings), All-NWAACC tournament MVP catcher Ariel Fulkerson, Adidas Golden Shoe Award winner and bunt specialist outfielder Bre Thomas (Central Washington University) and outfielder Sarah McGregor (Portland State University).
Who arrives: A pack of 10 freshmen who are eager to fight for playing time and crack into the everyday lineup for McWhorter. McWhorter says transfer outfielder Brittany Chestnut from North Idaho College, a Newport native, will get a lot of playing time in the outfield.
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