The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

PRESCOTT - The WP Lady Tigers 2012 softball team may have lost seven seniors who were the core of last year's team, but the remaining Tigers are no strangers to the field.

Seniors Hailey Goenen, Dionna Baker and Taylor Doepker will step up to lead this group of ladies on their quest for a trip to the state tournament.

It wouldn't be too far off to say Goenen will be a tremendous force both on the field and behind the plate this year for the Tigers. She is an all-conference outfielder in right field who slammed six home runs in the 2011 season for the Tigers. This year, she will swing over to center to get the most out of her range on defense.

She played in an invitational tournament this last summer that has put her in the recruiting spotlight for Walla Walla University. Although no com- mitments have been to made to a college team as of yet, she is also showing interest in Walla Walla Community College and Spokane Falls Community College as well. She is definitely one player who will spark a fire in the underclassman and push them to their limits.

Baker will suit up behind the plate once again for the Tigers to team up with returning starting pitcher junior Jennifer Nichols. Last year, Baker was a dominating force who showed no fear as she lunged after sliding base runners and sacrificed all body parts to stop any pitch that dared get by her.

Doepker will use her versatility on the field to fill any gaps at third and in left field throughout the season. As her bat speed continues to improve, her base hitting and speed around the diamond will be sure to put the runs on the board for the Tigers.

Nichols will bring experience and consistency to the mound for the Tigers. With years of pitching under her belt, she has learned the weak spots of veteran hitters in the league and she knows where to find that sweet spot of Baker's glove that has caught many a competitor looking as they take the third strike.

Junior Katy Hofer has earned a returning starting position at third base. This hotgloved, fiercely swinging beast behind the plate is definitely a crowd pleaser who doesn't mind getting dirty and taking a ground ball off the face if need be.

Juniors Sam Moss and Rhiannon Chapman will be Goenen's helpers in the outfield.

"Moss has a similar style in left field that Rachel Oseth had last year," said head coach Angie Potts. "She will be solid both on the field and at bat. Chapman did see some varsity playing time in right last year. She is also one who will hold her own at the plate."

Sophomores Chelsey Brannock and Enedina Fuentes will battle it out for a starting role at short stop to replace starter Taylor Moon.

"Enedina is quick with good range and a good glove," said Potts. "It will be a tough choice on any given day, but both girls have the capability

As the girls continue to get familiar with each other on the field, they are preparing themselves for the season to come with a jamboree last Saturday where they competed against the Touchet Indians and Wa-Hi. Although the score was not in the Tigers favor at the end of the day, the players were pleased with their performance against the 4A Blue Devils.

"I thought it was going to be a bloodbath," said Goenen. "But Jennifer (Nichols) did a really good job pitching against them and we held our own on the field."

"This was good for the girls to start the year off with this level of competition," said Potts. "It will prepare for them for pitchers like DeSales' Ashlyn Lyons who will be the toughest in our league for the girls."

DeSales may have a few eight graders on their starting roster, but with Lyons pitching guns they will be one of the teams to beat this year.

"Asotin may challenge us for a higher spot in the standings this year," said Potts. "They were young last year, but they did some team summer camps to prepare for them for the season. Tri-City Prep has also been working (in the) off season to improve their fundamentals and Tekoa has a lefthanded pitcher who may have one of the slowest fast balls in the league, but she is a good hitter that could us some trouble."

That takes us to the Dayton Bulldogs.

Last year they were a force to be reckoned with because they had Miwa Umeda behind the plate. But this year they will have to sacrifice McKayla Bickelhaupt in the infield to try and fill those shoes.

"Dayton has some good hitters," said Potts. "Their remaining pitchers from last year have good speed, but their accuracy just isn't there yet. They should still be a competitor for us."

As the season kicks off with a few non-league games to give the girls a chance to shake off the cobwebs and work out early season jitters, coach Potts isn't worried about her Tigers in the slightest.

"We did lose a lot of seniors to graduation, but we still have a strong core left," said Potts. "All of these girls have played the game before; it won't take long for them to find their chemistry with each other. We will be one of those teams to beat."

Stock up on the sunflower seeds and bust out the rain gear because this season is going to be one that you Tiger fans don't want to miss.