Softball program turns out largest numbers in school history

The Sisters High School girls' softball team has 30 girls out for the program so far this season, which is the most for the softball team in the school's history. Of the 30, 12 players will make up the varsity squad and an additional two players will swing from the junior varsity team.

Returning to the team this year are senior Becky Bremer (infield/catcher), senior Courtney Overstreet (infield) and senior Cady Hunt (outfield). Four juniors are also returning to the squad including Sam Stoneback (pitcher/infielder), Hillary Renz (pitcher/infielder/outfielder) and Jesse Heath (outfield/designated hitter). Sophomore Jenna Sneva returns and will play both in the infield and the outfield.

Other players who saw some varsity action last year include junior Brenna Mooney and sophomore Jenny Kaiser.

Junior JJ Ashley did not play as a sophomore last season but is back this year as a junior. Ashley was a varsity player as a freshman and will play in the outfield and at the catcher position. According to coach Tom Mauldin, JJ should be a real asset to the team.

Pitching for the Lady Outlaws will be Sam Stoneback and Hillary Renz. Stoneback pitched the majority of the season last year and will handle the majority of the pitching responsibilities again this season. Stoneback has a good rise and screwball and also throws a fastball, drop and changeup.

"Sam is a very heady player and is learning the finer points of pitching location and pitch selection," said Mauldin.

Renz has been working on her pitching skills all winter, and Mauldin told The Nugget her pitching has improved dramatically. Hillary has a good rise and screwball and is working on her drop and changeup.

Bremer, Overstreet and Heath will be three power hitters for the Outlaws, and Stoneback and Sneva have impressed Mauldin with their hitting and quick bats.

Mauldin is pleased with the versatility of his team but noted they have a lot of work to do to prepare for the season ahead.

"We're still a long way from naming a full starting line-up, but I like very much what I'm seeing," he said. "We have a lot of players who can play a variety of positions. In the Sky-Em League, which features defending state champion Elmira, we will need versatility. I think by the time league opens, we will be a solid softball team with a lot of strengths."

One of the Lady Outlaw mottos this year is: "We didn't come here to lose; we came here to compete." With that thought in mind, one of the Outlaws' goals for this year is to play for an extended season.

"We want to be the first Outlaw softball team to go to the playoffs," said Mauldin. "But we have an awful lot of work ahead of us."

The Lady Outlaws have a very tough pre-season schedule ahead, including games with 5A Summit, Crook County, Mountain View and Madras. Sisters will also have tough 4A double header challenges against Astoria and Tillamook.

"We wanted to have a tough pre-season schedule," said Mauldin. "Our league will be challenging, and we need to be ready."

The Lady Outlaws first pre-league game will be March 14, at Crook County.