Lady Jags figure to be very competitive in new NBL division
Optimism and excitement surrounds the Windsor High School softball program this year, with the Lady Jaguars in final preparations to open the 2019 campaign.
Veteran coach Morgan Rasmason returns to field a team loaded with experience and talent, a formula that should lead to frequent wins.
“I have high expectations this year, our lineup should be pretty balanced with strength or good contact all the way through,” Rasmason said. “I expect us to be at the top of the league and look forward to the increased competition.”
Windsor has been placed in the highly competitive North Bay League Oak Division for the 2019 season, competing with Analy, Maria Carrillo, Montgomery, Rancho Cotate and Ukiah. Although the new division is much like the old one, the addition of one team should make for an interesting race.
“We lost Casa Grande and Newman and gained Analy,” Rasmason noted. “Analy was one of our top competitors when Windsor used to be in the SCL when I played, so I’m excited to have our girls play against them.”
Windsor’s veteran-laden line-up will featured returning four-year senior pitcher Kayla Scott, who has signed a letter of intent to attend St. Mary’s College. Bolstering the pitching staff is sophomore Savanna Cordova, a mid-season call-up last year.
“They both have a great presence on the mound and are two of the biggest bats on the team,” Rasmason noted.
Top returning position players are returning junior catcher Kasandra Jaramillo, junior shortstop Gracie Hernandez, senior second baseman Caitlyn Murphy, senior third baseman/middle infielder Mele Pearl, senior outfielders Anis Acevedo and Moana Bullock, sophomore outfielder Nataleigh Johnson, junior outfielder Averie Gehrett and senior first baseman Fatima Vigil-Figueroa.
First year varsity players are junior outfielder Aryanna Campa and sophomore infielder Kelly Tagnolli.
“I’m very pleased with our squad because we don’t have any major weaknesses and we have multiple girls who can play in multiple positions, which allows us to have different lineups,” Rasmason said. “As far as offense goes, we’ve got some heavy hitters.”
The 2019 season will also feature the return of former star catcher and 2014 WHS graduate Angelica Terrel, who joins the coaching staff after a career playing at San Francisco State and a coaching stint in Sweden.
“It’s been great having her here so far because she just got done playing college ball and coached a year in Sweden so she has a lot of experience to add to the team,” Rasmason said.
Season opener on tap
The Jags will kick off the spring schedule on Thursday, Feb. 28 at Sonoma Valley and will host Redwood in the home opener on March 5. Both games start at 4 p.m.
