Last week marked the beginning of the high school softball regular season. West Valley Preps asked Northwest Valley coaches to take a look at their teams:
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West Valley Preps' 2018 softball preview
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Compiled By Richard Smith
West Valley Preps
Last week marked the beginning of the high school softball regular season. West Valley Preps asked Northwest Valley coaches to take a look at their teams:
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Our best attribute is depth and versatility. I have players who can play several positions defensively which will allow us to play hitters who are hot without jeopardizing our defense.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Being smarter in the circle when we are ahead in the count and situational hitting.
Who are your team leaders? Team leaders are Alynah Torres, Emilie Guerra, Kayt Leyvas, Nicole Osteen and Aubrey Chavez.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad who could make an impact? Newcomers are McKenna "Bub" Feringa, Hannah DiFabio, Taylor Pacheco and Grace Seale.
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? To reach the state tournament, we have to continue to work hard every day at the little things, care about our teammates more than we do ourselves, and stay together especially when things aren’t going the way we want them to.
Centennial's Natalie Del Ponte swings at a pitch against Vista Grande during the eighth inning of their state play-in game on Wednesday, April 26, 2017. (Ralph Freso for West Valley Preps)
Centennial Coyotes
5A Northwest Region
Coach: Randall Kaye (second year as head coach).
2017 Record: 14-17 (5A first round)
Top Returnees: Natalie Del Ponte, Sr., 3B (.462, 22 RBI); Dren Meginnis, Jr., SS/P (.321, 7 HR, 28 RBI);
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? I think the best attribute is we have some familiarity between coaching staff and players and they understand the expectations are.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? I think we need to communicate better on the field and make the routine plays and we need to have selfless at bats.
Who are your team leaders? Hailey Galvez, always vocal, great energy. Loves to play the game and it shows. Jumps off the dirt, exciting to watch.
Sydnie Sahaar – Great presence, leads by example hard working experienced pitcher. (Note: Sahhar missed all of the 2017 season with an injury)
Alanna Moran – game tested, high game IQ, steady focused energy. Well respected by her teammates.
Makenzie Celeya, our rock behind the plate, always brings energy and effort.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? Meghan Golden - freshman - P/1B - (great size and speed, throws in low 60’s, her all around game should improve playing with this roster. Gives us depth at the pitching position and should help us offensively)
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? We need to stay healthy and continue to build chemistry as a team. We need to embrace a specific role each game and do the job that is asked.
Kellis Cougars
5A Metro Region
Coach: Emily Gerlick (third year at Kellis)
2017 Record: 3-23 (Did not reach playoffs)
Top Returnees: Madison Fusich, Jr.; Alexis Salazar, Sr.
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? We have depth in positions and speed on the field.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? We need fewer errors and to adjust to pitchers quicker.
Who are your team leaders? Kylia Hughes, Madison Fusich, Riley Stark, Alexis Salazar.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? Sydney Roe, Ashley Calderon, Jisselle Navejas
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? We need to stay consistent and be positive when things don’t go the way we want them to go.
Liberty Lions
5A Northwest Region
Coach: Kara Holtorf (fourth year at Liberty).
2017 Record: 13-14 (Lost 5A play-in game)
Top Returnees: Ashleigh Perkins, Jr., 3B (.451, 21 RBI); Tatum Chestnut, Soph., OF (.429, 17 RBI)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? We have many returning players who understand this level of play. Our team is young but they love the game and love to be out on the field. If we can keep that drive, we will be successful.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? They need to continue to learn to play with each other and for each other. They have done a great job so far and we continue to grow closer to that goal.
Who are your team leaders? Our returning seniors (Becca Woolf, Kiersten Milburn, and Mia Leal) have stepped up to lead early this season. We have younger leaders (Tatum Chestnut and Madyson Devers) as well who continue to grow and learn every day. They all feed off of each other and they have formed a great bond so far.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? Abbey Kelley, Delaney Wilson, and Madison Lung are all newcomers and are also all freshman this year. They have earned their spots on the team and continue to make an impact in our success as a team.
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? They need to continue to play together as a team and understand to accept their roles for this year’s team. We need to continue to play at our level and strive to get better every single day.
Paradise Honors' Angelina Dytri hits a fly ball against Benson during their state softball playoff game on Friday May 5. (Ralph Freso for West Valley Preps)
Paradise Honors Panthers
2A Central Region
Coach: Paul Hatcher (third year as Paradise Honors coach).
2017 Record: 19-5 (Reached second round of 2A playoffs)
Top Returnees: Katie Hatcher, Sr., SS/P (.610, 23 RBI, 13-2, 4.16 ERA, 129 K in 101 IP); Alyssa Anderson, Sr., OF (.485, 29 RBI); Ashlyn Buntin, Jr., OF (.539, 23 RBI)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? The Lady Panthers play as one cohesive unit. They are a TEAM – All 14 of them play as one.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? The Lady Panthers will need to continue to live by our one team rule -- Have a great attitude, concentrate, and give an effort worthy of being a Lady Panther.
Who are your team leaders? All of the young women who play softball for Paradise Honors High School are leaders.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad who could make an impact? All of the new players at Paradise Honors High School will make an impact. They already have. They are amazing young women.
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? The Lady Panthers need to continue to play as one cohesive unit/ to be the ultimate TEAM, to have as much fun as possible, to enjoy what being a Lady Panther is all about. I don't care about "State" -- I care about their experience at Paradise Honors, and how it will impact these women 20, 30, 40 years from now.
Peoria Panthers
4A West Valley Region
Coach: Freddy Castro (first year as Peoria coach).
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? They are a really good hitting team and will be scoring a lot of runs this season.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? They will need to limit their errors and settle down and not try to force plays.
Who are your team leaders? My team leaders are senior Dezerae Licudine, senior Malia Herrera, junior Isabella Rojo and junior Adrian Munguía.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad who could make an impact? Andraya Romero and Elisa Granado are two special young ball players on our team that will help this years team reach the state playoffs this season.
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? In order for us to reach the state playoffs we will have to play to our best abilities and help our pitchers with a tight defense like we are capable of doing. Also trusting our abilities to score runs with our bats.
Shadow Ridge's Sophia Carroll trots around the bases after her two-run home run against Queen Creek during the fifth inning of their state softball playoff game on Tuesday May 9, 2017. (Ralph Freso for West Valley Preps)
Shadow Ridge Stallions
5A Northwest Region
Coach: Nadine Arias (first year at Shadow Ridge).
2017 Record: 27-7 (Reached final six of 5A playoffs)
Top Returnees: Sophia Carroll, Soph., SS (.398, 12 HR, 49 RBI); Aris Carroll, Soph., 3B (.447, 6 HR, 39 RBI)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Playing with heart and never giving up.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Less errors and being fluid in the game. Play with a purpose and leave it on the field.
Who are your team leaders? Our captains bring experience Haley Bove, Torie Strand and Mickey Covarrubio. Hailey Crutchfield is an asset with catchers.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? Sophomore Emari Evans, Freshman Paige White We have new additions sophomores and freshman that are excited about the game.
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? We need to play the game with confidence from start to finish by executing offense, solid defense and less errors.
Sunrise Mountain Mustangs
4A West Valley Region
Coach: Jody Pruitt (19th year at Sunrise Mountain)
2017 Record: 22-5 (4A runners up)
Top Players: Grace Schmidt, Sr., C (.518, 37 RBI); Summer Pells, Soph., SS (.444, 18 RBI)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? We have some strong hitters and every practice they work their butts off.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? We do not have dominating pitching so we have to take care of the softball, mistake free innings.
Who are your team leaders? Grace Schmidt, senior catcher, Dallis Mitchell, junior pitcher and 1st base
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? Kylee Messmer, So. Pitcher/OF does a great job on the mound and offensively drives the gaps, Kailey Maksim is a utility kid that plays were we need her and does it well. She is a middle of the lineup hitter.
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? We need to find a way to play hard for each other and play solid defense.
Willow Canyon Wildcats
5A Northwest Region
Coach: Donnie Tizzano (first year of second stint at Willow Canyon).
2017 Record: 13-10 (Lost in 5A play-in game)
Top Returnees: MacKenzie Federico, Sr., SS (.400, 28 RBI); Brooke Windahl, Sr., 3B (.412, 22 RBI)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Willow Canyon's best attribute going into the season will be our ability to put runs on the board. We have a deep lineup with kids that are able to do a number of different things offensively.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? We need to catch the ball more consistently and make better decision on defense. I would like to see us improve our base running as well. We do not have a ton of team speed, so taking advantage of opportunities on the bases will be huge this season.
Who are your team leaders? Brooke Windahl is a four year starter for the Wildcats. She will be counted on to lead our team on and off the field. Mackenzie Federico, Carrigan Foster, and Mo Forster lead by example. They are confident players who some of our younger kids look up to.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? Freshman Hannah Bowers is a versatile player who will fill a number of roles for us as the season progresses. Junior transfer Andraya Rhinehart will be a key piece to our playoff run. She hits the ball well, plays good defense, and has an advanced understanding of the game.Rachel Broussard will see a lot of time in the circle this year. This is her first season at the varsity level. If she is able to handle the pressure, Rachel will be a really good pitcher.
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? Like all teams, we need to stay healthy this year. We do have a deep team, but keeping all the players on the field for the whole season will be a plus. On the field, we have to improve our overall team defense. Our pitching staff will not strike a lot of kids out, so finding outs throughout the course of the game is imperative.
Centennial's Natalie Del Ponte swings at a pitch against Vista Grande during the eighth inning of their state play-in game on Wednesday, April 26, 2017. (Ralph Freso for West Valley Preps)
Paradise Honors' Angelina Dytri hits a fly ball against Benson during their state softball playoff game on Friday May 5. (Ralph Freso for West Valley Preps)
Shadow Ridge's Sophia Carroll trots around the bases after her two-run home run against Queen Creek during the fifth inning of their state softball playoff game on Tuesday May 9, 2017. (Ralph Freso for West Valley Preps)
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