CHS Fastpitch Preview

For starters, the senior-less Bruins return nine players--five juniors, four sophomores--who started at least one game in 2006, when the team finished 1-15.

The juniors are shortstop Ericka Ziegler, outfielder Chrissy Duniphin, second baseman Monica Blackmer, first baseman Kristie Morris and catcher Lacey Delehant.

Returning sophomores are third baseman Claire Stevenson, second baseman Rachel Connolly and outfielders Lacey Kruse and Maree Jo Kettenring.

CHS's 13-player roster is rounded out by four rookies: Nicole Bull (jr., utility) and pitchers Ilima Caldwell (jr.), Andrea Helton (fr.) and Brittany Delehant (fr.).

Lindstrom, now in his fifth year as CHS's head coach and 13th ovreall, said he and assistant coaches Mike Gilderhus (bench coach, 5th year) and Amy Landgren (first base coach, 4th year) have "high expectations" for the 2007 season.

"The team is more experienced and has greater confidence in their abilities than they have had over the past three seasons," he said.

Another plus, Lindstrom noted, is the addition of three pitchers who will "help fill a large hole in the defense."

Offensively, the Bruins "will hit the ball this year and put more runners in motion than in the past," Lindstrom said, adding, "We look to be aggressive baserunners, forcing the other team to make hasty decisions and force errors."

Still, Lindstrom said he has concerns, not the least of which is how his young pitching staff will hold up under pressure of a 20-game regular season.

How CHS's pitchers perform will, to a great extent, determine whether the Bruins win the close games they didn't last season.

"Ultimately, our goal is to follow in the footsteps of our girls soccer and basketball teams, and play in the post-season," Lindstrom said.

As a member of the new SWW 1A League's Trico Division, Columbia may have its best opportunity for a playoff berth in the team's history, Lindstrom said.

After favorites Castle Rock and La Center, the fight for playoff spots will be between Columbia and Stevenson, Kalama, Ilwaco and Rochester.

The Bruins, however, will not be able to take anything for granted, according to their coach.

"We will have to play our best, day in and day out, and have the breaks go our way once or twice," he said. And if they do, "we too will stretch a season into the playoffs."