The Community Colleges of Spokane women’s softball team takes the field on March 1st looking to win another Eastern Region Championship. With a dozen titles in the record books, the 2008 team looks to add lucky number thirteen.  Fortunately, we have the talent and the desire to accomplish this.  Our only big question is the health of our team.  We have three pitchers on this year’s squad, but two experienced considerable injuries last season.  Chantel Booker and Heather Coulter were outstanding on the mound, but both were limited due to their injuries.  At this point, they are feeling good, and if we can keep them healthy, we should have a thirty win season.  Freshman pitcher, Sean Topp, joined our team in January and will add much needed depth to our pitching staff.

Our returning sophomores are ready to establish leadership with one year of experience under their belts.  Whitney Dilworth (second base), Kristine Newell (left field), Theresa Tveit (third base), and Krista Osterwyk (first base) all saw considerable playing time last season and are potential starters after having great freshman seasons.  Nikiko Johnson (right field), who played behind two sophomore outfielders last season, is looking to break into a starting role this year. All seven sophomores have been competing and practicing hard in the off-season and, after three months of indoor ball, are eager for the snow to melt so we can hit the dirt.

Our freshman class has brought in some high-powered players.  Heather Jackson, a shortstop from the Washington State 4A Champions, Shadle Park, will start at shortstop, and Ashley Fargher from the Greater Spokane League District Champion, University High School, will start at catcher.  Both are First Team Greater Spokane League selections.  Kirstin Gamboa, from Moses Lake High, impressed our coaching staff in fall ball, hitting three homeruns in a doubleheader against WSU.  Lisa Steinbach, a shortstop from Post Falls, will earn playing time at first base as she makes the adjustment to the new position. Jessie Utt has a great bat and if she improves defensively, could be a consistent player. Rachel Eisenmann and Haley Bauman both are very athletic and are competing for starting outfield positions. Aubrey Crawford, will look to earn innings at first or third. Ginger Riddle is working through a shoulder injury but has been solid at catcher and we will be eager to have her healthy again. Katrina Miller and Maria Mackin have looked impressive in the cages the past few weeks and Sarah Miles and Amanda McKenzie are lightning fast and will boost our speed on the bases.

Janet Skaife believes, “We have numerous quality players on our team.  Several sophomores will continue their careers at four-year universities. I am excited at our range of offensive possibilities this year since we have speed that we lacked last year. We also have some explosive hitters who can enter the game with runners in scoring position. Defensively our catcher has the strongest arm that our program has seen so that will give us the chance to keep runners from advancing. It will be an exciting year and, once again, if we remain healthy, this team has a shot at the NWAACC championship.”