Softball teams rise to challenge of rivals

MAT-SU — Softball season is upon us, and Valley teams are beginning their quest for postseason glory on the diamond. Wasilla has beaten both the Palmer and Colony teams so far, but the season is far from over.

Palmer Moose

The Palmer Moose will gain experience through the course of the season, as they have already done through their first handful of games. The youngest squad in the Valley, Palmer has just three varsity-only players.

The charisma and energy around the Palmer dugout shows that they are happy to be on the field with one another, win or lose.

Shortstop Taylor Bunness will lead the Moose charge. Bunness is the most potent offensive weapon in the Palmer lineup.

“I’m just waiting for her to hit a home run, it’s coming soon,” said senior Madison Cochran, of Bunness.

Assistant coach Danielle Buckley would like to see her team improve offensively, but has been happy with the improvement she has seen thus far. Amanda Ishamel has made strides defensively in the outfield, and has become an essential cog in the Moose offense.

“Working really hard and being positive with each other helps a lot,” said freshman Jenna Sutton, of their continued growth on the field.

Sutton is an apprentice of Bunness, learning infield defense.

Peyton Murphy has been a rock in the circle, pitching well for Palmer.

“She has a great attitude,” said Buckley, of Murphy.

Buckley and head coach Penny Schram-Browner have appreciated the consistency of Murphy’s pitching. Base running is a key area in which the Palmer team can improve, the coaches said.

Wasilla Warriors

The Wasilla Warriors beat Palmer and Colony twice each. The Warriors look for their combination of strong pitching and swift defense to propel them to a postseason berth where they can contend for a state championship.

Alyssa Simmons returns as an All-Conference performer who hit better than .500 last season. When not playing first base, Simmons pitches. Sharing time with her in the circle is Jessica Maxwell, who is new to the team but fits right in at shortstop.

Simmons hit a pair of triples against Colony April 21. Maxwell has been impressive at the plate as well as on defense at the shortstop position.

The last of the Warrior arms, Cassidy Edwards, did not surrender a single walk in the win against Colony.

Edwards, the team’s only senior, said she has been pleased by the play of Shelby Wallis behind the plate, appreciating her teammate’s defensive improvement from last year.

Second-year head coach Tyler Gilligan has seen a lot of positives thus far this season, and with an undefeated record still looks to improve his team’s performance game by game. The girls pick each other up when difficulties arise, according to Gilligan, and are excited to take the field every day.

“When I hit a grounder and they miss it, they want another one and they won’t let me go to the next one until I do,” Gilligan said.

The team organized for off-season running and weightlifting on their own, and have come into the season in shape and ready to impress Gilligan. Gilligan has been anxiously awaiting games with Lathrop and most importantly West Valley, whom they played Thursday evening.

“We definitely have potential to be (in the state championship), we just need to keep playing. We’re growing and we have a skill set to be there,” Edwards said.

Colony Knights

First-year head coach Tamara Finley and her Colony Knights will look for a young group to turn heads and return to their usual spot atop the region standings. Finley returns four varsity players from last year.

Tesa Finley leads the team defensively from the catcher’s position, with the whole field in front of her. Finley will handle the pitching of senior Kylie Finley, forming a family battery. Senior Courtney Mulkins is calm but confident when playing shortstop for the Knights. Sam Anderson is the other senior, joining Mulkins on the left side of the infield at third base.

The Knights are 4-3 on the young season, but hope to come together and make the necessary adjustments to keep playing into the state tournament in Fairbanks June 4, 5 and 6.

Freshman Kaylee Roberts puts herself in a good position for the Knights with her feet, and has been aggressive on the base paths thus far this season.

Coach Finley has been happy with the leadership of her upperclassmen.

“The returning varsity players are some really good hitters. When they get that right pitch it will be out of the park,” she said.

Anything could happen with a young team, and the sky is the limit for a softball team as talented as this one, but if they are going to make noise come June, they must come together.

“We have younger players that have amazing potential. As we continue to work, they gain experience. As a team we will surprise a lot of people,” Mulkins said.

The Houston softball team was not available for comment by press time, but will be featured in future editions of The Frontiersman.