This year the Cascade girls' softball team has seventeen players, which means they only have one varsity team. The team consists of six seniors (Emma Warman, Giselle Navarro, Emma Sunitch, Vanessa West, Lindsee Rodriguez, and Coco Zehm), two juniors (Karlyn Kocher, and Natalie Sanchez), three sophomores (Natalie Stein Trujijllo, Talia Stein Trujijllo, and McKenna Walters), and six freshmen (Leilani Alejo, Kathleen Kocher, Kaylee Lewis, Breigh Ragsdale, Evelin Ruvalcaba, Hannah Henson). The head coach is Todd Fraker and the assistant coach is Kirk Sunitch.
The snow stayed a little longer than expected, therefore, the team was practicing inside in the main big gym at the high school and were only able to practice a few times at Walla Walla Park in Wenatchee. "Not being outside to practice has been the most challenging thing this year so far,” said center fielder Emma Warman (12). In hopes of eventually practicing and playing outside, the girls had to shovel all the snow off the field. They went out two separate times and spent about four hours shoveling before practice. They have been able to practice once so far on their own field.
Despite the challenges of snow, and fewer players, the ladies are still fighting to make this season a good one. “My goals for this year would be to win league again; however, everyone is in a new position, and we have new players so it might take some adjusting,” said catcher Vanessa West (12). Last year the team won league against Cashmere, which was a very big accomplishment and they are all hoping to win again this year.
The seniors this year are all captains, which means they have more responsibility. "To motivate the team, I would try to do things to make them laugh, and I gather them to talk and motivate each other,” explained West (12).
“As a senior I would like to set the standard and good example for the younger girls and the rest of the program,” said Warman (12).
Hopefully, the Cascade Girls Softball team will be able to have games on their own field soon and meet all their goals for this season. Consider going out and supporting these hard-working athletes.
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