The LCC Lady Devils have won the NWAACC Championship seven (7) out of the past eight (8)years.
2006 SEASON OUTLOOK by HEAD COACH TIM MACKIN
The 2006 Lower Columbia College Softball team, after winning six straight NWAACC Championships, fell short in 2005. But in a way, some enormous pressure was relieved. It's never fun to be the team that drops the ball and fails to win another championship, but we have nine returning sophomores and some very talented freshman coming in for the 2006 season.
Not only have we regrouped as a team, we also have made a change by moving to Kelso's Tamo O'Shanter Park to play our games this year.
The Tamo O'Shanter fields have a new lighting system and the Kelso Girls Softball League have opened their arms to welcome us. They know it's great to have a seven-time NWAACC team sharing the complex. So we are off and running to start a new winning team.
Pitching
Back to anchor the staff are sophomores Keri Gesner and Ruth Anderson. Gesner was 13-3 with a 1.27 ERA last year. Anderson was 5-1 with a 1.59 ERA. Ruth also hit .386 with 11 home runs. Freshman pitcher Jessica Hudson from W.F West provides a lefty on the staff and she will only get better with experience. I think the big change in our pitching this year will be our new assistant coach in charge of pitching, Dani (Fowler) Terry.
She is a former Pan American pitcher who played Division One ball at Tennessee. She will bring this staff to another level.
Defense
This could be our strongest infield in a long time. We are deep and experienced with sophomores at every position.
Nicole Wallinger and Anderson are at first. Back at second base is first team all-leaguer Jamie Fowler. Back at third is Logan Mohr, a second team all-leaguer. We have two outstanding shortstops. Riki Creger-Zier is a transfer from Georgia Tech. The other is a hard hitting local player, Mallory Giffin. Behind the dish this year is sophomore Anna Whiteman,who is solid. She will share time with freshman Janelle Marquette, and outstanding prep player with much potential.
Our outfield will be anchored by first team all-league player Mandy Schaapveld. Andrea Pedersen, another sophomore, will be compete with new freshman Courtney Mathews, Allisha Falk, Brittney Warren and Rachael Rahn. All of the outfield candidates have the ability to be NWAACC stars.
The Opponents
The Southern Division of the NWAACC will once again be the toughest. With Clackamas, Mt.Hood, Chememketa, Southwestern Oregon and new team on the block Clark, every game will be competitive. With the fact that we have to play each team six times, this should makes us ready for the NWAACC Tournament. We've been to the NWAACC tournament ever year since 1992, and I see no reason you shouldn't plan on going to Delta Park in Portland on May 21st.
Serving as assistant coach again is my long time assistant Ken Vodrup. Coach Terry will be a huge addition to the staff. Mick Grendon continues to be a great help to the players and staff and Larry Johnson does whatever is asked in regards to field prep. This is a great group ready to assist the Lady Devils back the top of the NWAACC.
We hope to see everyone at Tamo O'Shanter Park on March 3rd, as we open our season against the Olympic Rangers.