The calendar says winter, but with softball season starting it feels like spring.
 
Lower Columbia softball gets off to a fast start to the 2023 season with doubleheaders vs. Everett and Bellevue in the first weekend of the season.
 
"It's a fast start and good challenge," LCC Coach Traci Fuller said. "Bellevue is ranked #2 in the NWAC and Everett is #8, so we will see right away how we will compete against solid competition."
 
Lower Columbia is coming off a 24-20 campaign in 2022, which featured a third-place finish in the deep NWAC South Region and a seventh place finish at the NWAC Championships last May. Many key contributors from that team have moved on to the next level.
 
"The first four hitters in our lineup graduated, only one starting infielder returns and we have one pitcher remaining on our staff from last season," Fuller said. "But through recruiting and player development we feel good about this year's group stepping in. There's plenty of talent in our dugout."
 
Lower Columbia opens it's 28-game South Region schedule on March 17 in Salem, OR vs. Chemeketa. The first home doubleheader at Kelso's Heerensperger Field is on Friday, March 24 vs. Mt. Hood. 2023 Red Devil Softball schedule
 
Fuller, who enters her 12^th season at Lower Columbia with 262 career wins, is assisted by Dave Andrew (9^th season) and Kelli Arnold Marsh (4^th season.)  The Red Devils were recently selected 7^th in the Preseason Coach's Poll.
 
Coach Fuller's scouting report of the 2023 Red Devil Softball team:
 
#1 Ella Dillon (Sumner, WA – FR/OF) "Ella is a lefty hitter with good speed, versatile enough to utilize the short game mixed with some power. She has a great arm and adds depth to the Red Devil outfield."
 
#2 Darby DeRuyter (Innisfail, Alberta – SO/LHP) "Our only returning pitcher-- Darby gave us several outstanding starts last season and is also effective in relief. Her down spin creates lots of ground outs, and as a lefty allows us to bring another look to opposing hitters."
 
#3 Emily Panush (Spanaway Lake, WA – SO/OF) "Emily is our spark plug, brings the energy every day. She's very patient at the plate, with both a short game and the ability to drive the ball into the gaps."
 
#6 Kennedy Williams (Kelso, WA – SO/OF) "Kennedy is a leader and a real steadying influence as a third-year player in our program. She's a versatile hitter who gets down the line fast. Corner outfielder who can cover a lot of ground."
 
#7 Maliyah Twitty (Pasco, WA – FR/OF) "A skilled outfielder, Maliyah has great reads to the ball and has a strong arm. She hits the ball hard to all fields with power and is a great base runner."
 
#9 Teeghan Reams (Redmond, OR – FR/C) "Teeghan hits the ball hard and a long way, a home run threat every time she steps up. She has one of the best arms I've ever seen at third base and catcher. Teeghan also brings that velocity as a pitcher and will see some time in the circle this season."
 
#10 Sawyer Stenson (Pasco, WA – FR/C) "Sawyer has impressed us as a catcher and third baseman. Even more impressive is her bat…she consistently hits it off the barrel and will make an impact near the top of our lineup."
 
#12 Gracie Ray (Olympia, WA – FR/UT) "Gracie is a utility player who brings plus skills wherever we put her – middle infield, all outfield positions and pitching. She's poised in the circle, with good velocity and effective spin pitches. Line drive hitter with a very polished swing."
 
#13 Jada Cargo-Acosta (Port Angeles, WA – SO/INF) "Jada is an all-around athlete and will move over to shortstop this season after excelling at second base last year. Fast, aggressive on the bases, great arm, covers a ton of ground in the middle infield."
 
#15 Destiny Dunlap (Nooksack, WA – SO/INF) "Destiny brings a powerful bat and arm to our team. She consistently hammers the ball and was our top hitter in fall scrimmages. She improves every day and brings a team-first attitude."
 
#17 Sunny Bennion (St. Anthony, ID – SO/OF) "Sunny helped lead LCC Soccer to the NWAC semis last fall and will play soccer at MSU – Billings next season. She's a physically gifted athlete, strong and fast. She covers a lot of ground in the outfield and is a home run threat each time she steps in the batter's box."
 
#21 Sadie Knutson (Rochester, WA – FR/RHP) "Sadie was a late addition to the team after transferring from EOU during the break. She has immediately fit in and will be a key member of our pitching staff – with good velocity and ball rotation. Very athletic and can also play in the middle infield.
 
#22 Bella Aspaas (Hockinson, WA – FR/UT) "Bella is a 'Swiss Army knife' defensively – primarily a middle infielder but also polished in the outfield and can play any defensive position. She has tremendous bat speed with the ability to hit it out of the park, also has the wheels to beat out a sneaky bunt."
 
#24 Raychel Squibb (Winlock, WA – FR/C) "Raychel loves to play the game of softball and brings that attitude to practice every day. She provides skill and depth at catcher and at the corners. She's an aggressive hitter with a big swing and lots of power."
 
#27 Allison Heater (Yakima, WA – FR/RHP) "Alli is a natural leader on and off the field. She has good command and break on her pitches and will be a key member of our pitching staff. She is also a patient, dangerous hitter who covers the plate and can pound balls to the fence."
 
#30 Leanna Russell (Woodland, WA – FR/INF) "Leanna is a tremendous athlete with a combined desire to learn and improve. She will play middle infield and, with her speed on the base paths, is a candidate to hit at the top of our lineup."