The Olympian

Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: Sports

The Lady Rangers softball team has hit the dirt with a new head coach, a fresh team and good weather to start their season.
The women first stepped out for field practice on Feb. 19, despite the fact that they had been practicing since September in the gym.
"They haven't seen the dirt in a while," said Head Coach Jessica Cabato.
Cabato moved up from pitching coach this year after Clay Blackwood's departed to Evergreen College. Cabato is now coaching alongside her former Central Kitsap teammate Cynthia Novak.
The 12-woman team is one player more this year, and has only two returning players, Katie Robertson and Niki Winburn.
Most recruits are coming from South and Central Kitsap with the exception of two players from Alaska.
According to a couple players this new team has "chemistry."
Cabato said they are "fundamentally sound."
Last year's record was not a statement season but an average 20-21-1 with six forfeits adding to their win column.
Cabato said the main problem last year was the numbers on the field, but while watching her team on the field, she said, "I think our team has a lot more potential."
There is an increase in pitching prospects from one to three. "That will be a huge improvement from last year," Cabato said.
One of Cabato's more promising players is new pitcher Erika Quint.
Quint, who has been playing since the age of five, came to Olympic College from Central Kitsap and said one challenge has been, "getting a feel of how we play."
Niki Winburn, one of the two returning players, said, "The stakes are high this year."
On their second day on the field Winburn said, "not being outside kinda hindered us a little bit."
Last year OC's main competitors were Bellevue and Everett. By the end of the season, OC came out with one win against Bellevue but got defeated by Everett.
Winburn said this year, "I think it's gonna be us and Bellevue."
Along with Quint, Cabato also mentioned Winburn as a promising attribute of the team.
"Niki is definitely our leader and captain," Cabato said.
The women will start off their season with a home game against Bellevue on March 21. The last encounter between the two teams ended with two OC losses, 7-23 and 1-13.
This year Cabato says the teams will exceed last year's seasonal outcome.
"I feel that this team is a lot stronger," Cabato said, "They have the potential to go far."

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