Senior-laden Bulldogs hoping to make a run at 4A North title
SANDPOINT — Led by two four-year starters in seniors Rachel Hammack and Molly Givens, and boasting the most overall talent they’ve had in years, the Bulldog girls are eyeing a state softball berth in 2010.
Head coach Derek Dickinson appreciates that his team hasn’t had to spend the first month of the season practicing in a gym, as they have the past two years, and says this is the most excited he’s been about his team’s chances in years.
Much of the excitement stems from a strong senior contingent, led by shortstop Rachel Hammack, one of the top players in the Inland Empire League. Hammack is a spark plug at short, anchoring a solid infield with her all-out style, and very dangerous at the plate, where she will start the season batting lead off.
“I’m expecting a big year, no question,” says Dickenson of Hammack, a returning All-IEL first team player. “She put in a lot of work and I’m ready for her to explode this year.”
Leading the pitching staff will be Givens, the staff ace for the past two seasons. She features an above average change up and great command, and fields her position very well. Dickenson is expecting her to be a force both on the hill and at the plate.
“She’ll be that steady force on the mound and we’ll ride her a lot,” he explains, adding she’ll anchor the batting order at clean up as well. “I expect her to be a run producer with the bat.”
Also logging innings for the Bulldogs will be returning varsity pitcher Kim DaVault, a junior, and varsity newcomer Kayanna Quigley.
Infield defense will be the strength of the team, a crucial skill with pitchers that plan to pound the strike zone. Megan Hamilton will start the season at catcher and will bring speed and an aggressive approach to the base paths.
“We’ve got a little more speed this year, and when we get on the bases we’ll be aggressive and play some small ball,” describes Dickinson. “Then we have three or four bats that can bring some thunder and drive in some runs.”
Jamie Ellsfelder will play first base, Sammi Thoreson will play some at second, and newcomer Maggie Kirscher will play third base. Dickenson loves the way Kirscher attacks the ball as a hitter.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if she jacks a few long balls,” says Dickenson. “She can crush the ball.”
The outfield will be a mostly young and inexperienced unit, especially with Jesse Mead out for the year with a knee injury, and Dickenson expects them to be a work in progress. Senior Christina Johnson, who will also throw the shot put in track, Thoreson, Quigley and Jeri St. Sauver will patrol the outfield, which for the first time will have a makeshift fence installed.
Lakeland figures to be the team to beat again in the 4A North. Hammack, who hopes to play in college, says this is the strongest Bulldog team she’s played on in four years, and that she’s hoping to end her high school career at state this season.
“We have the talent, we just need the will to win.”