Prep softball previews
Antelope Rams
Last year: 3-13
Top returners: Santana Castro, sr., P/SS; Anna Tillou, sr., C/2B; Jocelyn Salcedo, C/CF; Kayla Cruz, so., P/SS
Key newcomers: Analysa Riveria, fr., P; Danella Agundez, fr., P; Denise Rios, fr., 1B/OF
Coach Mike Jorjuria comments: “We only three wins last year, so we're hoping to do better than that. We just want to be able to compete with the bigger schools.”
The lowdown: The Rams have seen one of the peaks in interest in recent years, so much that Jorjuria said he actually had to cut girls from the team for the first time. Such a turnout may prove to work out well for Antelope as they will have several options to choose from in their lineup. The Rams are hoping to limit their walks this season, something that plagued them last year. If they can find a way to control their pitches, the Rams should have a successful season ahead of them.
— Erin Redmond
Cibola Raiders
Last year: 19-0, made it to the playoffs as the No. 2 seed, won first game, lost next two.
Top returners: Melissa Padilla, sr., 1B/3B; Jackie Pierson, sr., P; Mariah Caro, sr., CF; Bethany Olea, jr., SS
Key newcomer: Leslie Morris, fr., P/1B
Coach Shelly Baumann's comments: “It (softball) takes a lot of hard work and dedication, effort and attitude. That's what we're stressing this year, which we have in the past also. ... It's the little details we have to take care of.”
The lowdown: The Raiders graduated three seniors last season, leaving them with holes to fill at first and third base as well as right field. Cibola does have a good core of returners coming back, all with big bats, who know how to drive in runs. As long as the Raiders defense can shine as bright as their offensive can, they should have no problem continuing to be the dominant team that they have in the past.
— Erin Redmond
Gila Ridge Hawks
Last year: 11-14
Top returners: Summer Ehrig, sr., SS; Nikki Kelland, jr., P; Kendra Land, jr., OF
Key newcomers: Kaelin Fox, jr., 1B; Ariana Rader, fr., 3B/2B
Coach Jamie McGalliard's comments: “We didn't lose too many (players) to graduation. I think that's going to help us a lot this year. I just think that this year we're a little deeper than we've been in the years past.”
The lowdown: The Hawks have a vast number of players returning for them this season, including Kelland who now has two years of varsity pitching under her belt. But Gila Ridge lost catcher Sidney Rice to graduation and now not only has a hole to fill at that position but will without the leadership she provided the team. On the other hand, the majority of the roster is made up of upperclassmen who bring with them a wealth of experience. Having most of the Hawks back this season may work out in their favor, given the experience of playing together and a large amount of softball knowledge that will be on the field for Gila Ridge.
— Erin Redmond
Yuma Catholic Shamrocks
Last year: 9-11
Top returner: Ashley Goetter, sr., P
Key newcomer: Gabby Rollins, fr., P
Coach Santos Renteria's comments: “I think right now we're a program in motion with big expectations. I think our biggest thing right now is that we need to have kids commit to the program, come out and go to work. Right now we don't have that.”
The lowdown: The Shamrocks have struggled thus far to get new players to join the squad, leaving them shorthanded and low on options. YC has seen the return of nine players from last year's team but Renteria said that his team is far from where he thought they'd be at this point. The key to this season for the Shamrocks will be to stress dedication to their players and make sure that the players that they do have remain on the squad. This season the Shamrocks may have to get creative to get the job done.
— Erin Redmond
Yuma High Criminals
Last year: 9-9, Made it to the state playoffs as the No. 16 seed, lost to No. 1 Horizon and then to No. 9 Centennial.
Top returners: Isabel Villabos, sr., P; Ivana Aguirre, sr., CF; Marissa Madrigal, sr., C
Key newcomer: Allison Vega, fr., C
Coach Liz Huyck's comments: “We're just going to take it one game at a time. Once we get past that, we'll be able to move forward. We've been fortunate to raise enough to go to two tournaments. Hopefully, getting as many games in as possible with those two tournaments will help us build on our success and we'll be to achieve making the playoffs again.”
The lowdown: The Criminals have a solid group of returners back for them this year. Huyck said her senior players have emerged as great leaders for the younger players and considers that to be a key to Yuma's success this season. The Crims are relying on the pitching of Villabos to create a strong presence for them on the mound. The only concern seems to be new players taking over the outfield roles. The inexperience in the outfield may hurt the Crims, but if they can get that corrected early they should be successful.
— Erin Redmond
