Weiser softball looking for big year

The Wolverines will only be carrying 12 young women on the roster, led by team captains seniors Westi Walker and May Erke and junior Shalee Huggins. 

 Walker, a 3-year varsity player, will be occupying her usual spot on first base, and believes that her team “has a really good chance this year.”  

 Walker stated the Wolverines are more intense this year and learned a lot last season.  Huggins, also a 3-year year varsity player, believes that her team will give the rest of the SRV “a run for their money” this year.  

 She added, “We work really well together and we’re all good friends.”

 Cordes stated that he has a much deeper pitching staff this season, led by freshman Whitney Cordes. 

 “Whitney didn’t play basketball so she could focus on her pitching in the off season,” Cordes said, and he added that several players also attended a camp in the Portland area during the off season that is expected to play a big role in the experience-level of the team.

 The Lady Wolverines have eight returning players on the team:  Westi Walker (1B), May Erke (utility/pinch hitter), Shalee Huggins (3B), Makaela and Jakaela Ruiz (OF), Madison Phillips (CF), Erika Tyree (catcher) and Kali Branstetter (LF/pitcher).  New to the team is Alex Bittinger (2B) and freshmen, Mecarte Olsen (OF), Kaija Thompson (SS/pitcher) and Whitney Cordes (pitcher).

 With two freshman, Thompson and Cordes, expected to fill such a vital role in the pitching circle for the Wolverines, there is understandably some nervousness expressed by both young women, but Whitney Cordes stated that she thinks they “will do well.”  

 She added, “We are really athletic and we have a lot of drive.”  Thompson concurred and is confident that her many years of softball through the years and participation on travel teams will help out the Wolverines this season.

 Coach Cordes added, “we have a mindset this season that we are going to take one pitch at a time, one inning at a time and one game at a time.”