Lady Kodiaks lineup features experience, depth

The Cascade High School fastpitch-softball team is gearing up to make another run in the Caribou Trail League.

The Lady Kodiaks finished last season with a 15-7 overall record, capturing the Caribou Trail League and District 6 titles along the way. They were eliminated in the 1A State Championships after losing to Elma in their first game, and Bellevue Christian in the consolation round.

Head Coach Todd Gilbert returns to lead the team. Assisting Gilbert are Brooke Shelton, who played softball for Wenatchee Valley College, and volunteer coach Shelley Bittle.

Gilbert said the first weeks of practice have gone well so far for the 2019 Lady Kodiaks ball club. Many starters from last season's lineup have returned to the team, including six seniors. No. 1 pitcher Sarah Paulson returns to lead Cascade's bullpen. Paulson was the CTL Player of the Year last season.

Cascade’s infield will include second baseman Madeline Schiefelbien, first baseman Kayla Bittle, third baseman Jocelynn Rodriguez and shortstop Truh Merriman, who will also spend time on the mound. Schiefelbien and Merriman were All League first-team selections while Kayla Bittle was an honorable mention.

Returning outfielders include Kaija Lovelady, a first-team selection, Alondra Acevedo and Madison Hardy, who also played catcher last season.

"We have a good crew coming back," Gilbert said.

Even with six starters returning, Gilbert said there are opportunities for younger players to step up and fill any gaps on defense.

When it comes to offense, Gilbert said the Lady Kodiaks' batting order will have depth as returning players have gotten stronger during the offseason, and there are a couple of freshmen athletes who will boost Cascade's bats.

Gilbert said the team spent the first couple weeks of the season working inside because of the snow. Although working indoors allows the team to focus on fundamentals, and discuss strategy in a controlled environment, it is no substitute for practicing on the field.

"We're getting to the point where it would be nice for us to be outside and get a full outdoor workout in," Gilbert added.

The Lady Kodiaks were scheduled to play a nonleague contest against Quincy in their home opener on March 12 but the game was rescheduled for March 22. Before they play Quincy, Cascade will face Ephrata on March 19 in a nonleague contest. With an experienced lineup and six returning starters, Cascade should be in contention for another league title this season, in what Gilbert described as a "tough" CTL landscape. He sees the Lady Kodiaks being in the upper league standings along with Okanogan and Chelan.

"That being said, you never know when a couple of kids will come in and all of a sudden, things change and everyone is more competitive," he added.