Lady Bulldogs look to build on young team's talent

ST. IGNATIUS — The Lady Bulldogs softball season is in full swing to build up the young team's ability and strength as they prepare for the season opener in Ronan on March 30.

The team consists of a co-op that includes Arlee, Charlo and Mission with 16 ball players in all. Head coach Steve Woll and assistant coach Terri Biggs are working hard with a good crop of freshman.

"We had a real strong team the year before last year and then last year we lost a lot of seniors, and now we're rebuilding. This year we have 10 freshmen so we are rebuilding even more," head coach Steve Woll said.

The 'Dogs have four seniors this year that will be strong leaders to help bring some experience to the team.

"Ashley Mitchell is a returning All State player. She is a utility player right now. Tentatively she's probably going to be our pitcher," Woll said. "Jen Gariepy is another returner. We have Kristin McClure returning as shortstop. Erin Snyder and Kendra Coburn are also back."

Gariepy is held up in a brace at the moment after an injury to her knee in the volleyball season. She hopes to be able to play as soon as next week.

"I hope she gets released pretty quick," Woll said.

"I blew my knee out in districts in volleyball. I had surgery a week and a half later," Gariepy said.

The team is working hard at practice and Woll said that he is specifically working on a few things.

"The main thing we need to be able to do this year is catch and throw. Then we work on the basic fundamentals and from that we can work on a game plan and see where our strengths and weaknesses are. Right now we are just starting from the ground up," he said.

Last year the Lady Bulldogs went to the district tournament 5-14. At the tournament the 'Dogs lost to Thompson Falls and then beat Sunburst to continue on and finally fell to Loyola.

The seniors who led last year's season were Trista Ebensteiner, Tarn Potter, Darlett Thackery and Faith Matt.

Coach Woll is excited to get the softball season started up again. He played baseball for 13 years before he transitioned into coaching and he has been the softball coach for the Lady Bulldogs for five years. Assistant coach Terri Biggs has been working with the team for nine years.