For the first time in decades, there will be no “Apple” softball games contested on west county fields in 2019.
Analy and El Molino will prepare to compete in a realigned North Bay League.
The perennial title-contending Tigers figure to be among the top teams in the tough NBL Oak Division, battling with Montgomery, Maria Carrillo, Rancho Cotate, Windsor and Ukiah.
Under veteran returning coach Nick Houtz, the Tigers are coming off a strong 18-9 campaign a year ago, finishing their season in the quarterfinals of the North Coast Section Division 3 playoffs.
Analy figures to be even better this season after graduating just three seniors from that squad, fielding a 12-player roster in 2019 that is both talented and experienced.
The Tigers will be led by returning seniors, including outfielder Samantha Caughie, outfielder Emma Castleberry, pitcher Carson Rasmussen and catcher Makayla Kraemer. Junior members of the team include outfielder Cameron Cardoza, third baseman Chloe Hadrich, utility-players (and sisters) Brianna and Leah Lawrence. Sophomores include utility-players Olivia Franceschi, Emma Bowen and Lizzie Hoffman, and the lone freshman is Elliot Gorath.
After batting a gaudy .389 as a team last year, the strength of this year’s Analy squad will again be hitting. Rasmussen is coming off a 13-8 season as the team’s primary starter last year and should be even better in 2019.
The Tigers will open the spring schedule on March 5 (weather permitting) at Pinole Valley and will visit Drake in San Anselmo on Thursday, March 7, at 3:30 p.m. Analy will host Casa Grande on Friday, March 8, at 3:30 p.m.
El Mo looking to move up
The Lions will play in the North Bay League Redwood Division, competing with the likes of Healdsburg, Elsie Allen, Santa Rosa, Cardinal Newman and Piner.
El Mo will be looking to move up the ladder after posting an overall record of 5-15 a year ago, returning four seasoned veterans to the team.
Back for another campaign are seniors Erika Olson, Grace St. Marie, Natalie Alberigi and Bridget Niclaes.
The nucleus of a impressive youth movement are first-year varsity freshmen Bailey St Marie, Kiara Garcia, Ahnicka Kjaer, Madie Hodgdon, Bella Gaab, Taylor Carter, Erika Jimenez, Peyton Hamner and Katelynn Tourady. Also joining the team this season is senior Sheila Ruiz.
The Lady Lions (0-1) have already managed one game so far, falling to Justin Siena on Feb. 21, 8-3. Niclaes and Kjaer each had one hit for El Molino.
At press time the Lions were preparing to resume preseason action at Novato on March 4, followed by a March 5 visit to St. Helena. El Mo will return home to host Technology High School on Thursday, March 7, in a 3:30 p.m. tilt.
