The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

PRESCOTT - Waits­burg Prescott didn't cap the season the way it wished to last year, earning an early exit with losses to Adna and Warden on the opening day of the 2B state soft­ball tournament in Yakima. Thankfully the Tigers will have nearly every starter back, along with fifth-year head coach Angie Potts, for another try at the title trophy.

"We didn't have the best showing (at state)," said Potts. "We probably didn't go into it with the best-I don't want to say the at­titudes were bad-but there were some frustrating things that happened that week. We were excited to be there, but mentally we weren't there."

The Tigers return all but centerfielder Hailey Goenen and catcher Dionna Baker, who both graduated, to the starting line-up. Seven cur­rent seniors return as well. Perhaps the most important piece is senior pitcher Jen Nichols-a 3-year starter who Potts expects to take most of the pitching load this year.

"Her sophomore year she shared pitching duties with Kaz (Grende), then last year she shared it with Sydney a little bit," said Potts. "This year she's going to be on the mound a lot.

"She's really worked hard on her game," Potts con­tinued. "She really worked on her change-up last year. She worked on slowing it down so it is clearly differ­ent from her fastball. We've been working on locations with her for the past couple of years, being able to hit inside-outside corners. She has on her own wanted to add a couple other pitches so she's not so predictable."

Filling the void at the catching end of the bat­tery will be junior Chelsey Brannock-a player Potts has nothing but glowing re­marks for.

"Chelsey caught as a freshman. In fact we had to make some changes at the district tournament, so she actually caught the district championship game for the last couple innings. She's a good catcher," Potts said, slowing down for emphasis on "good". "I'm completely confident in her being be­hind the plate replacing Dionna."

Heidi Miller and Katy Hofer will man the corners to start the year.

She's got first base locked down," Potts said of Miller a hard-nosed junior. "She's going to be the dirtiest player on the team, because she's willing to do anything to stop the ball. She's aggres­sive. She's already been diving for balls this year and complaining about dirt in her pants. She's just fearless when it comes to playing infield."

"Katy's been playing third base for three years and has started all three years at that position, but she may be moving because we have to replace our shortstop," noted Potts. "Chelsey was our shortstop last year, and, obviously, if she's going to catch we have a hole to fill."

While Potts isn't sure of who will fill the shortstop position, the other mid- fielder spot is sewn up in the person of Samantha Henze. Henze, a senior and starter from last year's squad is the team's second baseman.

"Sam has gotten better ev­ery year," said Potts. "She's fundamentally sound. She's going to field everything. She'll make all the plays she needs to make. In a word, she's consistent."

Seniors Samantha Moss and Rhiannon Chapman return as starters in left and right field respectively.

"Sam played every game in left field last year," Potts noted. "She is solid for us. She reads the balls really well. And like Sam, Rhian­non knows right field. She's there to back up first base. They both have good range. They will be wherever they need to be."

Senior Jessica Foxe is one of the competitors for the centerfield position this year, in her first full year on varsity.

"She's got one of the best work ethics on the team and she always hustles," Potts said.

The final senior on the squad, Cynthia Zuniga, will be making her first appear­ance on varsity. Potts is unsure of where Zuniga will find playing time.

The Tiger team includes just three juniors. Besides Miller and Brannock, Prescott's Jackie Garcia also joins the big squad this year. Garcia has surprised Potts and her coaching staff so much, that she may earn herself a spot in the starting lineup if she continues to shine.

"We didn't expect to see her do the things that she's been doing," Potts said.

Among a quintet of soph­omores, Loegan Harshman and Samantha Fedderson have the best opportunities to break into the starting line-up. Potts expects the league to be pretty evenly matched this year, with the one exception being Tekoa- Oakesdale-Rosalia-who Potts expects to be down after losing their best hitter and only pitcher to gradua­tion last year.

The Tigers first swing of the season comes next Sat­urday in Prescott in a set of 3-inning jamboree contests versus Dayton and Touchet. The first counting contest of the regular season is the following Saturday at Pilot Rock.