With nine returning sophomores on the roster and a home field featuring a new infield artificial playing surface, the anticipation level is high for the 2024 Lower Columbia Softball team.
 
The turf at Heerensperger Field will be put to use immediately, as the Red Devils host Pierce, Wenatchee Valley and Walla Walla for consecutive doubleheaders this weekend – February 17-19. First pitch for Lower Columbia and Pierce is at noon on Saturday.
 
"I'm excited for the season and to play on the new playing surface," LCC Coach Traci Fuller said. "We have had a lot more practice time outside this winter because of the turf, which is such a benefit to us. Now it's time to play the games."
 
Last season, playing a lineup heavy with freshmen, LCC finished 25-22. The Red Devils qualified for the NWAC Championships and defeated defending champion Mt. Hood in the opener, before bowing out with two losses to end the season.
 
That group of last year's freshmen, now sophomores, includes 2023 South Region first team selections Sawyer Stenson (catcher/3B), Teeghan Reams (catcher/3B) and second team pitcher Alli Heater.
 
Reams, who also is part of the Red Devils pitching staff, was selected as a 2023 National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American as a utility player. She led LCC with 20 home runs and 67 RBI in her freshman campaign.
 
Heater and Reams are part of a five-member pitching staff along with fellow sophomore Sadie Knutson and freshman hurlers Kaydence Mackin and Alexis Moore.
 
"I like this group," Fuller said. "With five pitchers who have a variety of strengths, we can mix and match them in games to work as a pitching staff to keep hitters off balance."
 
Stenson is part of a solid catching staff, along with Reams, sophomore Raychel Squibb and freshman Brooklyn Loose.
 
"We have four starting catchers on our roster, who can all hit. The good news is all four are strong defenders at other positions, so at times they could all be in the same lineup," Fuller said.
 
Sophomore shortstop Bella Aspaas and second baseman Leanna Russell are joined in the middle by freshmen Allison Baumgart and Katelyn Swanson. Freshman Lexi Grumbois is strong at the corners and can also play shortstop. Squibb and Heater return at first base and Stenson and Reams will team up at third base with Grumbois.

Freshman Karlee VonMoos will join the softball team after she concludes her women's basketball season in March, and will play at the corners on the infield. 
 
"We played many games last season with an all-freshmen infield, so the experience level is high. Adding four skilled freshman creates a lot of competition and makes us even stronger," Fuller said.
 
The Red Devil outfield will be anchored by sophomore returners Maliyah Twitty (CF) and Ella Dillon (RF). Freshmen Joelie Eder, Alexis Keaveny, Loose, Mackin and Moore will also patrol the outfield grass this spring.
 
"Maliyah and Ella played a lot of innings for us last year and both have strong arms and cover a lot of ground out there," Fuller said. "Our newcomers give us a good mix of speed, strong arms and some power hitting to add to our outfield."
 
LCC will play 18 non-league games though early March, before opening the 28-game NWAC South Region season at home on March 15 vs. Clark College.

Fuller, a former Oregon State Beavers catcher, begins her 13^th season as the Red Devils head coach sitting at 287 career wins. Her staff includes assistant coach/recruiting coordinator Dave Andrew (10th season) and  assistant coach Tim Mackin (1^st season).
 
Mackin returns as a part-time assistant after retiring in 2011, amassing 674 wins and 10 NWAC titles while coaching Lower Columbia over 19 seasons.