Girls figure to be a factor in league race this season

The Scappoose High varsity softball team put their arms around each other, smiled for a picture, and said they were happy to be back out on the softball field late last week.

There’ll be just 10-11 girls on the softball team this season, but it figures to be a close knit group.

“Good” they said in unison when asked how it was going.

The team has a new coach this season, Steve Hoglund, and seemingly a new attitude about their prospects.

“I’m excited,” Hoglund said. “It’s a good group.”

Hoglund has been a fixture around the Scappoose scene, coaching some very good youth teams over the years.

He says its all about the girls, and he means it. He’s hoping for very little drama on the team.

“We’ve got a fair amount of experience back this year, they could run it on their own,” he said.

The team is a good mix of upper and underclassmen.

The pitching staff includes: Lacey Updike, a junior; Kendal Bailey, a freshman; Amanda Schlosser, a junior, Shelbie Butler, a junior, and Jessie Dykes, a freshman. The last three will see some, but limited action.

Lexi Courtney, a junior, will take up residence behind the plate.

First base will be a battle between Bailey, Dykes, and Scharmann (also possibly an outfielder).

Sophia Hart, a junior, will start at third, while the only senior on the team, Cassidy Hoglund will take be the shortstop.

Second base is unfilled yet, but could include Bailey, Dykes, or Scharmann.

Updike could see some outfield duty when not pitching. Others settling into the outfield could include Schlosser, Ashley MacInnis, a freshman, and Avery Jones, a sophomore.

Hoglund said the team hasn’t had a lot of chances to do much live hitting. They have been working on the machine. They were hoping to get in some swings this week, other than on the pitching machine. There could be an inner squad scrimmage later this week.

“We haven’t had much of a chance to practice yet,” Hoglund said. “We had three days of tryouts (last week), handed out uniforms, practiced a little Friday and then everyone left for the basketball game. Hopefully, we can get in a decent week this week.”

Hoglund said he feels the team should do pretty well. He said Banks would again be afactor in the Cowapa League, and Yamhill-Carlton figures to be tough.

“There could be some surprises out there. We’re going to challenge ourselves to make it happen. I’m excited, this is a good group,” he added.

Kyle Horness and Kathleen Tardif are assisting Hoglund with the team this season. Horness has been an assistant for several years, going back to when Mike Hoag was coach.

Hoglund said there was an issue with the new Chinook Field location for the jayvee field. He said that while the outfield was fine, the wrong surface was put on the infield and it was nearly a foot deep.

“I hope the jayvees have a place to play,” Hoglund said. Meanwhile, he said the varsity field also needs some work this year and he’s spending a lot of time getting it ready to play.

The Lady Indians host Gladstone this coming Monday in their season opener, and then follow that with trips to Rainier (March 12), La Salle (March 15), North Marion (March 19), and Gladstone on March 20. Molalla will visit Scappoose on March 22. The team goes to the Mac-Hi Tournament in Milton-Freewater March 28-29.

Scappoose High

Softball Schedule

(Home games in caps)

March 11 GLADSTONE

March 12 Rainier

March 15 La Salle

March 19 North Marion

March 20 Gladstone

March 22 MOLALLA

March 28 Mac Hi Tournament

March 29 Mac Hi Tournament

April 5 Grant

April 9 Tillamook

April 12 BANKS (DH)

April 16 SEASIDE

April 19 Yamhill-Carlton (DH)

April 23 Astoria

April 26 TILLAMOOK

April 30 Banks

May 3 Seaside (DH)

May 7 YAMHILL-CARLTON

May 10 ASTORIA (DH)