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Tigers looking to pounce
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 DIGGING FOR DIAMONDS: The La Grande softball team will look to improve on its 3-9 Greater Oregon League record from 2007. Boo Christman (above) will lead the team from the pitching circle. - Observer file photo In Kohr’s first year at the Tigers’ helm, his team won three Greater Oregon League games. La Grande went 10-16 overall last season and 3-9 in the GOL. “We’re going to make a playoff run this year,” Kohr said. “Our girls are going to surprise some teams. All it’s going to take is a little more sun and more time on the dirt.” Wednesday, the Tigers set a season record with three straight days of practice outside. With winter-like weather carrying over into the spring, the growth of this young team has been slowed down. The fate of the season will rest on defense and pitching. Junior Boo Christman anchors a three-pronged staff. Sophomores Cammy Bell and Shelby Hasse will fill in the extra innings. “(Boo) is the go-to pitcher,” Kohr said. “She’s put a lot of work in over the winter. The more innings she gets, the more confidence she’ll gain. Locating pitches is her biggest area of improvement.” More importantly, having a good defense will take the pressure of off right-handed hurler. Christman will be targeting a new glove this season. Jenny Denny makes the move from second base to strap on the gear this season. Carly Miller vacated the area behind the plate to move out to first base. “First base was a question mark for us last season,” Kohr said. “We needed that anchor to pick balls in the dirt. (Carly) fills that role for us.” However, Miller’s season was in jeopardy a week ago. Running to first base, Miller pulled up with a noticeable grimace against Grant Union. She finished the game on the sideline walking with crutches. Tests revealed a slight tear — not enough to require surgery. “(Carly) is a tough girl,” Kohr said. “It’s going to take a lot to get her off the field. We’ll play it by ear, and see how she feels each day.” Freshman Sidney Brown fills in the vacancy at second base. “She’s a talented defensive player,” Kohr said. “(Sidney) will do whatever it takes to knock down the ball and record the out.” Bell and senior Lindsey Willis fill out the left side of the infield. Bell will handle the hot corner, while Willis lends leadership at shortstop. Roaming the outfield for La Grande will be Hasse, Amanda Nice and J.C. Childs. Offensively the Tigers hope to pick up where they left off last season — and then surpass it. La Grande scored more than four runs per game last season, but less than three runs per league game. Denny and Hasse serve as the table setters in the La Grande lineup. Chelsea Brown awaits opposing pitchers in the clean-up spot. “(Chelsea) is a great offensive threat,” Kohr said. “All-in-all we’ve got great balance in the lineup. Everyone is hitting the ball. Now we’ve got to get those runners home once they get on base. We’ve been doing that better as the preseason has gone on.” The speed of Nice and Sidney Brown will fill in at the bottom of the order. That leaves Christman, Bell, Childs, and Willis free to move up and down the order based upon performance. “We’ve got the freedom to go with whoever’s hitting the ball well,” Kohr said. “Some girls don’t handle hitting the third spot very well. We’ll see who can do what.” La Grande will open the GOL schedule against Ontario at 2 p.m. MT. Saturday. Ontario and Mac-Hi finished atop the league standings last season with an 8-4 mark. “Those are the two teams we’ll be gunning for this year,” Kohr said. “It’s going to be a fight until the final week to see who wins the league. Our goal is to be right there at the end.” |
