ACH looks to build off last season’s momentum

COULEE CITY — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors (15-7) are coming into this season motivated to build off last year’s successes, Head Coach Faye Butler said. After just missing out on placing in the state tournament, the team hung around for the championship games, which seemingly lit a fire in them.   

“They got really excited, and they were like, ‘We want to be here next year.’ And I said, ‘We can be; it just takes a lot of work,’” Butler said. “They're just really pumped for softball season. I really hope they can carry that drive into this season... I really believe they will.”  

The Warriors will be set up well with key leaders Grace Okamoto and Josie Bayless returning this season. Butler is eager to see them elevate their level of play while also taking another step into those leadership roles with the team, something she is confident they can do.  

“(Okamoto) was really elevating her pitches last year by throwing in drop balls and curve balls and rise balls. I really want to continue working at that and the consistency of that. Bayless (is) a big leader on the field. She's my shortstop, and people look up to her, and she keeps people motivated and keeps the morale going good on the field.”  

Butler is eager to challenge her players this season as they have a few non-conference teams they will face. She believes tough opponents like Liberty Christian can help her team elevate their level of play.  

“I pushed really hard to play some of these non-league games,” Butler said. “They're a tough team. They play club ball year-round. Their pitcher is phenomenal. I'm really looking forward to that game this year. I like to get my girls some tough games before districts and regionals. So I'm looking forward to that game with Liberty Christian.”  

Getting to play non-conference teams like Liberty Christian gives Butler’s team valuable experience for later in the season, she said. She’s hopeful her players can sharpen their mental game and become more comfortable competing under pressure.   

“Softball is such a mental game,” Butler said. “When you're in those high-pressure games, it's a pressure cooker, and whoever makes those first mistakes they kind of can roll with it, so bouncing back from mistakes is always key. Some of our games, we don't have a lot of pressure, and so they need to just learn that, ‘Hey, you still can perform under pressure.’”  

The Warriors open their season on the road against Oroville on Mar. 24 at 2 p.m. However, their first home game is slated for April 18 against Inchelium in a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m.   

“It's been really cool to see them really elevate and wanting it more and more... as I've seen them throughout the school year they all come to me and they're like, ‘We can't wait for softball season.’ They're just really pumped for softball season.” 

    Almira/Coulee-Hartline graduate Emma Whitaker keeps her eye on the ball while standing in the batter’s box last season. Head Coach Faye Butler said her team has been motivated to improve after last season’s state tournament appearance.
  

    The ACH Warriors’ Josie Bayless charges toward first base. Head Coach Faye Butler said Bayless is a team leader that a lot of players look up to.