Othello, Ephrata ready to make waves in CWAC
COLUMBIA BASIN — Softball in the Central Washington Athletic Conference (CWAC) has long been synonymous with great teams, collecting of state hardware and of course … Othello.
The Lady Huskies are aiming to recapture their formula for glory and greatness when the 2010 season begins after they missed out on an expected trip to state in 2009.
At the same time don’t count out the Ephrata Lady Tigers who return a solid veteran core and can easily be a team that sneaks into the ranks of the CWAC upper echeleon if a few areas develop as expected.
OTHELLO LADY HUSKIES
Head Coach: Rudy Ochoa (15th year)
2009 Record: 18-6 overall, 15-3 in CWAC
2009 Post Season: Fourth in District playoffs
Roster: Seniors Eden Garza, Kylee Mollotte, Breanna Montemayor, and Jackie Valdez, juniors Joanna
Quezada, Brenda Rodriguez, Miranda Martinez, Marissa Martinez, Jasmine Gallardo, and Lindsey Garza, sophomores Alyssa Martinez, and Amy Bullis, and freshmen Kim Bullis and Daisy Salgado.
Outlook: Averaging over 22 wins over 14 seasons, coach Ochoa enters the 2010 season hoping to add to his 13 Class 2A state appearances, three state titles, and eight total state trophies behind a strong crew of Lady Huskies.
If he does, it could mean a 13th CWAC title and 12th district championship as well.
“We want to make it back to state,” Ochoa said. “Lasy year we stumbled, now we have to get back up and try again.”
Ochoa can count on Mollotte to lead the squad following an All-State campaign in 2009 and Eden Garza who received the same honors during the two girls’ junior seasons.
It won’t hurt to also have Montemayor, Rodriguez, and Miranda and Alyssa Martinez back in the fold after all four earned some type of post season accolade for their play last year as Othello went 18-6 and finished fourth at districts.
“Last year I think we peaked too soon, but this year I think we will be very competitive,” Ochoa said. “We have an experienced team and they seem to get along very well. Our biggest strength will be comradery. The girls are gelling with each other and there is a good spark.”
Ochoa believes his team along with Ellensburg, Selah and East Valley will be the CWAC’s top contenders.
“Prosser and Grandview both have have gotten better and could make a run,” Ochoa said. “Also you can never rule out Ephrata since they are always tough and can do some damage also.”
EPHRATA LADY TIGERS
Head Coach: JoElle Malone
2009 Record: 6-13, 6-11 in CWAC
2009 Post Season: None
Roster: Seniors Kristina Allen, Mikalea Hunsaker, Patricia O’Callaghan, Ashley Nielsen, Sarah
McMartin, Crystal Millard, and Chelsey Hubbard, juniors Jesse-Lee Stangland, Skylar Lund, and Shelley Wenz, sophomores Talynn Woods, and Heidi Buchert.
Outlook: The return of seven seniors could benefit the Lady Tigers who hope for marked improvement in 2010.
Coming off of a 6-13 record in 2009, coach Malone can count on McMartin and Millard to provide valuable experience on the mound, while O’Callaghan (third base), Lund (shortstop) and Hunsaker (second base) will man the left side and center of the diamond on defense.
Hubbard wll be counted on to work with the Ephrata pitchers as she returns as catcher, while Allen can man both first base and play the outfield.
Malone also believes her squad could be a tough out with some serious offensive weapons at her disposal.
“Because we have so many seniors our goals are to play together successfully as a team and to make the playoffs,” Malone said. “We have a tough league with teams like Ellensburg, Selah, and East Valley. We will not be intimidated though. We plan on playing to the best of our ability and win or lose we will know we gave it our all.”