Finding new pieces

There will certainly be a different look to this year’s Carson High softball team as underclassmen have been tasked with stepping in for talented seniors that departed after last season.

Of course, for many teams in Northern Nevada winter weather has drastically limited time on the field. Outside of tryouts, Carson High softball has yet to play on the dirt other than the Senators’ lone game against McQueen.

Second year head coach Scott Vickrey said getting live at-bats is going to be of the upmost importance in the first half of the season.

“A lot of girls were on the basketball court and haven’t had the chance to hit live pitching,” said Vickrey. “The run scoring is going to be the issue for us early in the season; that’s what the focus is going to have to be on.”

LINEUP

One of those freshman Vickrey expects to have an impact early is leadoff slap hitter Jasmine Slater.

Slater will also be stepping into an open role in center field after Kayce Johnston graduated.

“She’s a left-handed slap hitter, who has power and will be leading off for us. She is fun to watch,” said Vickrey. “She definitely has the speed and she definitely has the arm.”

The two through four spots are up in the air early in the season.

March 3 against McQueen, Sofia Morrison hit in the two-hole and Vickrey said she impressed him enough to hold that spot.

Behind Morrison were Ashleigh Naranjo and Corine Doran, all returners.

Naranjo was an honorable mention all-region selection as a junior and will be one of Carson’s two captains this season alongside Doran.

The senior will start the season at catcher but the team has depth at the position and can tweak the lineup if needed.

“It’s really cool this year, just like last year, there is a lot of flexibility,” said Vickrey. “Ash is going to be back there to start. Cory (Doran) could be back there a little bit and Sofia Morrison could actually get a little time back there as well.”

Doran led the team in batting average last season at .527 with 25 RBI and 11 doubles.

In the five spot and holding down the No. 1 pitching role will be Isabella Reyes, who was honorable mention all-region last year. Reyes hit .427 as a junior.

The bottom of the lineup will be tinkered with as the season progresses.

Zaydee Gitthens returns to second base after hitting .340 as a sophomore.

Kiele Franco, who will spend a majority of her time at first base, hit seventh against McQueen and will look to improve on her .298 batting average from her freshman season.

In the outfield will be Rhys Branham in left and a combination of Cali Stagliano and Bella Stagliano in right.

(Carson High’s Zaydee Gitthens turns on a pitch during the regional tournament last season at Bishop Manogue. Gitthens returns as the Senators’ second baseman after hitting .340 last year. / Carter Eckl)

PITCHING STAFF

After Caydee Farnworth’s graduation, Reyes will see her activity in the circle increase exponentially.

Reyes threw just 22.1 innings last spring but will be thrust into the No. 1 role this season.

“Right now she is No. 1. We have a young freshman we are hoping can push her a little bit. I’m just hoping that it happens,” said Vickrey. “It’s probably going to be a little bit of community work.”

Rhys Branham and Alexis Chester will likely get some appearances in the circle along with freshman Bianca Gallardo.

Even with some of the upcoming talent in the ranks, Vickrey knows the rest of the Class 5A North region remains stacked.

Douglas High is coming off a state runner-up finish and returns its entire pitching staff and a chunk of its lineup.

Damonte Ranch is another team that Vickrey anticipates contending for a top spot in the league standings.

“We don’t have anything really easy,” said Vickrey. “If I had to pick today, I would imagine Douglas and Damonte Ranch are the favorites.”

ROSTER

Isabella Stagliano, Jr.; Cali Stagliano, Fr.; Isabella Reyes, Jr.; Ashleigh Naranjo, Sr.; Jasmine Slater, Fr.; Zaydee Gitthens, Jr.; Tarrah Borrowman, Jr.; Sofia Morrison, So.; Alexis Chester, Sr.; Corine Doran, Sr.; Rhys Branham, So.; Kiele Franco, So.; Bianca Gallardo, Fr.