Softball team ripe with potential

It could be a rough start to the

Whitefish softball season, coach Alan Compton warns, but as soon as

snow melts and the grass turns green, he expects to have a quality

team that’s gunning for state.

“We haven’t been outside yet,” Compton

said, noting that the softball fields are still covered with snow.

“We also have a lot of new girls with no softball experience. The

learning curve is extremely large, and the start of the season is

going to be what it is. But we have to stay positive. The first

half will be a challenge. There’s no way around that.”

The team has been inside fielding balls

and taking batting practice since early March, and Compton says a

number of players have shown some raw talent to build on. He’s

especially excited about the lineup’s prowess at the plate.

“We’ve got good bat speed, and we’re

making contact,” he said. “If a team scores six on us in an inning,

that’s no big deal, because I think we can do that, too.”

About 15 girls are on the squad,

including returning seniors Madison Tveidt, Madisen Cross and Emma

Baldonado. The big bats are likely going to be Tveidt, her sister

Bailey Tveidt, Hannah Lewis and Cross.

“Madison Tveidt has some home run power

for sure,” he said. “Her sister is swinging the bat well this year,

and so are Hannah and Madison.”

Bailey Tveidt, Andrea Lamourex and

Cross will form the pitching rotation.

“All three pitchers have never faced a

batter before,” Compton noted. “Bailey will surprise some people

with how hard she throws. We just need to get her control dialed

in.”

Compton thinks the team can make a good

run toward the playoffs after getting a few first games under their

belts.

“We’re going to have some emotional

struggles,” he said, “but I think we have the bats to overcome

them. It’ll be a fun and challenging season.”

Whitefish’s first game this Friday has

been moved to Polson at 5 p.m. Whitefish will now host Polson on

April 21.