THS softball team young but experienced

As the Lady Trojans head into a new softball season, head coach Russ Thompson appears to have plenty of options on where to play athletes. And although Troy lost just one senior and saw another prospect move out of state, the program is still a young group overall.

“The one nice thing now is we’ll have a divisional tournament,” Thompson said. “So, if you’re struggling at the beginning of the year, you always have the tournament to try to get to state.”

The one senior that the Trojans lost was a major component of last year’s club in workhorse pitcher Alicia Anderson. Thompson said he has four pitchers vying for time on the mound this season – sophomore Audrey Messerly and freshmen Jordan Williams, Holly Higgins and Breanna Opland.

“They’ll all pitch whether it’s in varsity or JV,” Thompson said. “Right now, the varsity pitchers will probably be Williams and Messerly.

“Our pitching, I think, is not going to be overpowering,” he added. “We just want to make sure they throw strikes and then work on our defense behind them.”

Over the rest of the team, Troy returns seven starters from last year. Kimmy Klin, who led the team in batting average in 2009, will be back behind the plate for her junior season. Alyssa Olds, junior, is penciled in at first base. Thompson hasn’t finalized the other positions around the infield.

Megan Cummings, junior, played shortstop last year and will either return in the 6-hole or move over to second base. Dolly Blata, senior, could move into the shortstop spot or return to the outfield. At third base, senior Michelle Pillans and Opland are the top prospects. Pillans played the hot corner last season and if she doesn’t return there, she’ll play in the outfield.

Higgins and junior Rachel Geuther are two other players in the mix at second base, as well as the outfield.

Ashley Paasch returns to the outfield after an exceptional freshman campaign.

Thompson saw 20 girls come out for softball this spring, although junior varsity games will be tough to come by for the younger kids. Many schools the same size do not have JV teams.

Thompson Falls, which will host the divisional tournament, appears to be one of the stronger teams this season with a dozen or so seniors. Mission is another team that could put a pretty good squad on the field, Thompson said.

The season begins at home on Thursday with a 5 p.m., game against Bonners Ferry, Idaho. The Trojans will then hit the road for five straight before returning to the home field on April 20 vs. Eureka.

Varsity Schedule

Date Opponent Time

April 8 Bonners Ferry, Idaho 5 p.m.

April 10 at Loyola Sac. Heart 1 p.m.

April 10 at Florence 4 p.m.

April 13 D. Lodge (at Plains) 3 p.m.#

April 15 at Mission 4 p.m.

April 19 at Plains 4 p.m.#

April 20 Eureka 4 p.m.

April 30 Thompson Falls 4 p.m.

May 3 at Eureka 4 p.m.

May 6 at Thompson Falls 4 p.m.

May 7 Mission 4 p.m.

May 8 Loyola Sac. Heart 11 a.m.

May 8 Florence 4 p.m.

May10 at B. Ferry, Idaho 5 p.m.

May 11 Drumm. (at Plains) 4 p.m.#

May 14 Thompson Falls 4 p.m.

# Doubleheader

Note: The divisional tournament is scheduled for May 21-22 at Thompson Falls (play-in game on May 17 or May 18 at site of higher seed). The Class B-C State Tournament is scheduled for May 27-29 at Billings.