As usual, snow-bound Wood River High School softball players have been doing their outdoor spring training practices on the asphalt parking lot.
With the fading snow pack and early spring, they'll be on grass in Hailey soon—and they're playing for a new head coach and in a new conference.
First-year varsity coach Darcee Barber took Wood River to Filer Thursday for the first game of the 24-game spring campaign. Barber said, "We'll be competitive. We don't have any outstanding All-Stars, but the girls work well together and will play hard."
Barber replaces Chris Cey, who had a 145-100 record in nine Wood River years and led the Wolverines to a 23-9 record and fourth place in the State 3A tournament two years ago.
Wood River has moved up to the 4A level and will be playing in the Great Basin Conference West along with Jerome, Minico and Burley. Last year, the Wolverines (12-13) went 1-1 with Jerome and dropped two close non-conference games to Burley.
Another significant change is that 4A teams play doubleheaders, where the varsity plays the first game and the JV goes in the second. Last year the varsity would play back-to-back games in a doubleheader and the JV would play two games on a separate field.
Barber, whose squad played fairly well in a jamboree Saturday against Minico, Twin Falls and Jerome, is ready for the big challenge and is grateful for the help of well-traveled assistant varsity coach Dale Martin.
"We have a young team, but pitching is one of our best parts," she said.
She has handed the starting shortstop job to talented freshman Dani Stone. The top two pitchers, both control pitchers with average speed, are senior Ali Sherbine and junior Catherine Beck. Both hit their spots.
Back-up pitcher is junior Jamie Stone, a hard thrower. All three pitchers are righthanders. So was Chandin Persaud (9-7 last year), Wood River's ace last spring who graduated.
Wood River lost a lot in Persaud, Camey Anderson, Koree Hawkes, Tiffany Wheeler, Emily Smith and Nikki Calzacorta. But the Wolverines often struggled on offense (scoring 5.9 runs per game, allowing 6.7) last spring. Barber hopes that will change.
Seniors and their positions are Sherbine (P/OF), Alexa Alberdi (2B), Barbara Coleman (1B), Lisa Nilsen (3B), Genii Vert (C/OF) and Sydney Leopold (2B). The top of the batting order is likely to feature Vert, Alberdi, Jamie Stone, Coleman and Nilsen.
Juniors are Beck (P), starting catcher Jamie Stone (P/SS) and Lauren Parsons (CF). Sophomores on varsity are Leighandra Roberts (3B, P on JV) and Esther Garza (OF).
Raised in Rock Springs, Wyo., Barber, 28, is a fifth-year Wood River High School mathematics teacher who played softball (pitcher/first base) at York College in Nebraska.
This is her fifth year of involvement with the Wood River softball program. Last year she was assistant varsity coach. Two years ago she led the junior varsity squad. Prior to that she assisted the JV softball team.
The new conference should have a lot of parity, and many close games.
Last year, Century of Pocatello won the Great Basin Conference championship 3-1 over Jerome (11-13). Jerome tried to make the state tournament through the back door but came up short, beating Burley 10-0 but losing to Bonneville of Idaho Falls 8-5.
Madison of Rexburg won the State 4A title 2-1 over Caldwell, at Blackfoot. Century and Bonneville went 0-2 at state, and Blackfoot was 1-2.
The new Wolverine junior varsity coach is Todd Brooks. He is assisted by Nicole Brashears and Dusty Pruett.
Sophomore players include Alisha Comly, Ali Nilsen, Sierra Lee, Trista Behr, Jessica Dardeen, Jessica Owen, Brianna Padilla and Brittany Shipley. Freshmen are Lacie Anderson, Emily Daniels, Hannah Gove, Stephanie Olson, Desi Peters, K.D. Pruett, Zina Rath and Jordan Hendricks.
