By Phil Aumiller
Outlook: Coach Kyle Schuyler says “this is one of the school’s strongest teams ever from top to bottom, and they need to be, to compete in this league. They’re having a great preseason. The girls have been working hard, and that hard work should result in some good play during the season.”
Schuyler hopes to improve on last year’s state tournament performance where the Lady Lions lost in the first round to eventual State Runner-up Burlington. This team certainly has some good tournament experience to draw on. Four of the girls (Jaicy Sutak, Baylee Subbert, Kayce Johnson, and Katy Hickey) played for competitive teams in neighboring towns this summer. Most of the others, products of Lyons’ fantastic summer softball program, played in tournaments over the past few months as well. Four of them helped power the 18-and-under Lyons Roar to its third straight league championship in July. Eight of them played for the 16-and-under Lyons Pride, which moved up to competitive status this year and participated in several tournaments throughout the state.
This is a veteran team, with seven Seniors, two Juniors, and eight Sophomores returning. They know what it feels like to beat a good team: last year’s chilly but invigorating victory at Eaton comes to mind. They also know what it’s like to get trounced, and they definitely prefer winning. With their talent and experience, expectations are high.
Back row: Coach Julie Vasquez, Maddie Aumiller, Hayley Theriault, Caitlyn Deter, Kelly Williams, Chandler Subbert, Baylee Subbert, Kimy Harrison, Jess Tusay, Katy Hickey, Lily Hetherington, Coach Kyle Schuyler.
Middle row: Coach Breeze Sutak, Madeline Wallace, Brittany King, Jaicy Sutak, Kayce Johnson, Michelle Mikoni, Hannah Baker.
Front row: Madison Myers, Rachel Bashor, Sammy Bashor, Emily Still, Dana Arling, Emily Peck
Returning Starters: Maddie Aumiller (Sr., OF, IF) is a fast runner and a good contact hitter with occasional power. In the field, she has a cannon for an arm and uses her speed to track down a lot of fly balls.
Rachel Bashor (Jr., IF, P) is a solid fielding second baseman who has had some key hits in
limited attempts over the past two years.
Katy Hickey (Sr., C) has a smooth swing and is a reliable catcher. She commutes to Lyons from Estes Park High School, where she played baseball because of their lack of a softball team. Her letter jacket sports awards from three different schools in softball, golf, and band.
Madison Myers (Jr., C, OF) is a multisport athlete who is a good contact hitter with blazing speed and a quick glove.
Emily Still (Sr., C, IF), is a very fast runner with a lot of drive. Two years ago she caught and batted near the top of the order. After an abbreviated season last year, she hopes to pick up where she left off.
Baylee Subbert (Sr., IF, OF) has a very strong arm and a smooth, powerful swing. Her batting average last year was the highest among this year’s returning players.
Jaicy Sutak (Sr., P, IF) was all-conference as a freshman and sophomore and was sidelined for most of her junior year after hip surgery. Jaicy is an excellent hitter with good speed and she’s an accurate and crafty pitcher. She has an excellent glove and arm, and is a fierce and gritty competitor with superb knowledge of the game.
Jessica Tusay (Sr., OF, IF) hits the ball with authority and is a steady fielder who recorded four very big unassisted outs at the end of her summer team’s league tournament championship game.
Kelly Williams (Sr., P, IF) is a patient hitter with good power and an intimidating pitcher with a good glove and a strong accurate arm.
Players to watch: Dana Arling (So., IF) always has her head in the game, she has a good glove and arm, and played well in several varsity games last year at second base.
Kayce Johnson (So.,P, IF) is a solid player who endured back pain last year and hopes to see more playing time this season.
Madeline Wallace (So., IF) is a speedy, smart player who regularly pinch-ran for the varsity team last year.
Rounding out the team are Sophomores Caitlyn Deter, Brittany King, Michelle Mikoni, Emily Peck, and Hayley Theriault, and Freshmen Hannah Baker, Sammy Bashor, Kimy Harrison, Lily Hetherington, and Chandler Subbert. Participation is impressive and the talent runs deep, which will make both the Varsity and the JV teams tough to beat.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
