Carson High freshman Riley Kuhlman pitches at home during an opening weekend tournament for the Senators. Kulhmann is one of four freshmen on the varsity roster this spring.
Photo by Jeff Mulvihill, Jr. | InstaImage.
Between players who graduated and a few other players not returning, the Carson High School softball team faces an influx of youth this spring.
The Senators went 7-25 last spring and are hoping to build toward some more wins this season.
Carson’s lineup will feature just a pair of seniors while also having four freshmen.
Two of Carson’s three all-region players from last year graduated – Corine Doran and Ashleigh Naranjo – leaving the Senators with Cali Stagliano as the lone all-region returner.
Stagliano had seven RBIs and a pair of doubles as a freshman last season, but her defense will be a strength for Carson this season in right field.
Jasmine Slater will be another strong defensive piece for the Senators after holding down center field for the Senators last season.
Slater put together a .381 batting average in her freshman campaign with five extra-base hits and 13 RBIs.
“Our team is going to be very young this year,” said coach Scott Vickrey. “We’re going to be young, make some mistakes, but we’re going to work to get better everyday.”
Elizabeth Barker will see time in the outfield corners, but may also spend some time on the infield.
Returning at first base will be Kiele Franco, who had a .402 batting average with 18 RBIs last season as a sophomore.
To Franco’s right will be Zadee Gitthens, who returns to second base. As a junior last season, Gitthens posted a .337 batting average.
“She (Gitthens) is always such a positive athlete. She has great work ethic, loves the game and I’m looking forward to her having a big year this year,” said Vickrey.
Jordan Brubaker and Barker could see some time at shortstop while third base is a bit of a question mark.
Vickrey says the hottest bat will likely occupy the hot corner.
Isabella Reyes will be back in the circle for Carson, pitching a majority of the innings. Reyes will get help from Brubaker, Laila Campbell and Riley Kuhlmann.
Last season Reyes threw 91.1 of the Senators’ 165 innings.
“The nice part about this team is we have so many players that are so athletic that they can work multiple places. It’s going to be a challenge for the coaching staff to put the pieces together so they best fit,” said Vickrey.
With weather limiting the team’s early, out-of-league schedule, the Senators will start next week with several games before heading into league play March 16 with a doubleheader at Reno High.
Vickrey wants to see an emphasis on the Senators continuing to improve as the season progresses.
When the postseason rolls around in May, Vickrey hopes Carson will have settled any of the nervousness or mental mistakes they may see in the early portion of the season.
“A successful season looks like us being as competitive as we can. Try to play as clean of ball as we can and minimize the mental mistakes,” said Vickrey.
(Carson High junior Sofia Morrison receives a pitch behind the plate last season. Morrison hit for a .350 batting average as a sophomore with four home runs and 25 RBI. / Jeff Mulvihill, Jr. | InstaImage)