Lumberjills Looking to Turn the Corner

Photo Provided Pictured is the 2019 Valley High School Lumberjills softball team and coaching staff.
With only a dozen players out for softball, Valley Head Coach Gary Partridge isn’t too worried as long as the Lumberjills don’t get any injuries. This is because Valley Softball is returning four-year starter Megan Brown on the hill and her three-year battery-mate Jamey West to lead the way.
“Megan’s experience and ability will definitely make our defense’s job a lot easier,” added Partridge.
Partridge feels he has a solid roster and plenty of players with experience. He smiles ear-to-ear when talking about this year’s team. “I have a great recipe in players that will surely taste great when putting them all together,” Partridge said.
He also has back leading hitter in Sydney Bucher holding down first, while senior Hailey Baker is penciled in at second and promising sophomore Olivia Scyoc is at shortstop.
Stand-out Rachel Bates is at third.
Partridge returns senior Emma Ueltschey in left-field, while promising freshman Shyanne Moore will anchor the outfield at center; talented sophomore Elizabeth Conley will be in right field.
However, Partridge is excited about freshmen McKenzie Haught, Kinezel and Haiston Fox who are pushing the starters for playing time.
“Our numbers may be down, but we have the potential to do something special with this team, – including making a run in the OVAC Class A tournament” said Partridge.
“You know it’s nice to know that you don’t have to spend a lot of time going through the fundamentals of playing softball as all these girls, including the freshmen, have made our job as coaches a lot easier when we go to work at practice.”
Rusty Nice will again help Partridge as his assistant coach.
After a couple games were put on hold to start the season, the ‘Jills were to open their 2019 campaign March 22 at Tyler Consolidated, and will host Frontier and River March 27 and 29, respectively, before closing out March with a game in Beallsville – March 30 at noon.