Sutter
SUTTER, CA (MPG) - The Sutter Huskies softball team began league play as newcomers into the Pioneer Valley League as they decisively won their doubleheader over Center last Friday 16-0 and 26-0.

In her eighth season at the helm of the softball program, head coach Stefanie Danna has continued the winning culture at Sutter with the Huskies controlling the Northern Section as they have won the last four NSCIF Division IV titles.

“I’m a firm believer that change is good, and I’m excited to see what this new league has to offer,” Danna said.

She added that they are familiar with some of the teams in the PVL as they have played in prior seasons, and said they will attempt a tough schedule in the preseason to get the team ready for league play.

Danna said that everyone knows they were a senior heavy team last season as they graduated eight total, but this season they have a lot from last season’s roster returning and that includes lone senior, captain and center fielder Karissa Williams.

Danna said Williams will light up any room she walks into. “She is the individual who brings the energy, will not be afraid to tell her teammates to get back to work, but also knows when to change it up and make it fun for everyone to be loose!” Danna exclaimed.

Williams hit .387 last season with 36 hits, Danna told the Dispatch, saying, Williams is a loud vocal leader.

Williams added that everyone on the team is close with one another. “We all work hard, support one another and it makes us a better team,” she said.

In the circle, coach Danna will look to a duo of juniors that include Olivia Bauer and Makala Schamanski. Bauer is off to a great start early in the season for the Huskies in the circle as she is 2-0 with 23 strikeouts in 12 innings of work.

Bauer noted that their bonding off the field helps with the consistent team dinners and supporting other Sutter athletic programs together as a team.

Junior catcher Alexa Carino, who was the second-best hitter for average last season, mentioned the best way she has built multiple relationships with her entire Huskies roster. “I find what their likes and dislikes are,” Carino said. Carino added that is something a player at the catcher position takes on as she knows the capabilities of her fielded roster.

Sutter was scheduled to Marysville this week in PVL play.

Yuba City
YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - The Yuba City Honkers softball team hasn’t been affected by the rainy weather that washed out other athletic games as they had 19 days in between their season opener on March 2 and their next scheduled game being the Capital Valley Conference opener versus Woodcreek this past Tuesday.

Yuba City first-year head coach Amy Olchefske told the Dispatch they have been able to get a lot of indoor practices in and she has been getting to know her team and was thankful for the support system she had coming into the position.

Olchefske expressed to the Dispatch that she asked her team early in preseason what they wanted to work on collectively as a team goal and the Lady Honkers decided on hitting.

“They want to be aggressive hitters, putting the ball in play and getting creative at the plate,” Olchefske said.

In the pitching circle, Olchefske exclaimed to the Dispatch that sophomore pitcher Tori Hernandez is getting the lead pitching spot. Hernandez pitched the opener versus McClatchy on March 2 where she pitched five innings and had eight strikeouts.

Olchefske told the Dispatch her two junior captains in catcher Lexi Dell and infielder Drew McDonald.

“They set the example of what being a good teammate is like,” Olchefske said.

Olchefske has simple expectations laid out for Yuba City and she said all players have met the expectations that include good sportsmanship and give their best effort.

The Lady Honkers were scheduled to begin CVC play versus Woodcreek on Tuesday and host Antelope on Thursday.

Marysville
MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - The Marysville Indians softball team is looking to get back to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV title game as they came up just short in the final last season against Dixon.

Marysville first-year head coach Gabriel Mejia, who has been the head coach at the junior varsity level for years, inherits a great roster. The Lady Indians have been the team to beat in the PVL since they joined in the 2019 season and with terrific programs such as Sutter and Wheatland joining the PVL, will they continue to control it?

In the circle for Mejia this season is junior pitcher Kaitlyn Davis and sophomore pitcher/infielder Janis Sutton.

Mejia said sophomore outfielder/pitcher Emily Hurlbut could also see time in the circle as the trio of pitchers are not used to throwing a full season in the circle. So, he wants to use them as timely as possible.

“We’ll rotate in and out and keep an eye on their fatigue and go from there,” Mejia said.

The captains Mejia decided on are the two seniors in senior outfielder Jenissa Conway and senior catcher Liberty Quillin.

Conway is set to continue her softball and academic career at the University of Michigan following graduation this year.

“She’s (Conway) always wanting to teach some of our younger players whatever she can,” Mejia added.

Conway’s statistics speak for themselves on MaxPreps, but Mejia consistently expressed to the Dispatch she is all about helping her teammates day in and day out.

Quillin is capable of playing anywhere on the field, Mejia said. Quillin is also extending her softball career at the collegiate level as she is going to be playing at the University of San Francisco.

The Lady Indians are tied with Sutter for a 2-0 league record in the PVL. However, with Marysville and the Huskies scheduled to play two league games this week, standings could change.