Cooper High School 2018 Season Preview

Cooper High School 2018 Fastpitch Softball Preview

Returning Starters:

Allana Matteson – Junior – 3B / 1B (Honorable Mention All Conference - Division 1 - 3 times)

Alex Dummitt – Senior – P / IF / OF (Honorable Mention All Conference - Division 1 - 3 times)

Taylor Keener – Senior – OF (2016 33rd District All-Tournament Team)

Leah Moore – Junior – OF

Amber Chaney – 8th Grade – P / IF (2017 Honorable Mention All Conference - Division 1)

Dylan Scott – 8th Grade – SS (2017 Honorable Mention All Conference - Division 1)

Key Returnees:

Gweny Wessling – 8th Grade – C / IF

Clhoe Kincart – Senior – IF / OF / C

Anna Ryder – Senior – OF / IF

Elena Studer – Freshman – OF

Alison Schlieger – Sophomore – IF / OF / C

Brooke Van Dusen – Freshman – P / 1B

Erin Hubbard – Sophomore – 3B / 1B

Ariselys Roman – Junior – OF / C

Hanna Hollis – 8th Grade – P / 1B

Brianna Keener – Sophomore – OF / 1B / P

Key Newcomers:

Ashley Chaney – 7th Grade – IF / C

Emily Schmeltz – 7th Grade – IF / OF

Claire Poage – 7th Grade – OF

Coming off a season in 2017 which saw the Cooper Jaguars set new school records for most wins in a season (16) and most runs scored in a season (251), we are extremely excited for the season to start. In each of the last 3 seasons we have set new school records in wins, so we are progressing as a program in the right direction. The 2018 roster, which features 6 returning starters, 9 key returnees, and 3 impressive newcomers, gives the Cooper Jaguars’ faithful reason to be excited. Speed and defense will be the keys this season, we’ve really gotten a lot faster and a lot more experienced than we were. We feel like we are going to surprise some people this year with the lineups we are able to put onto the field. Returning starters Allana Matteson (5 year starter) and Alex Dummitt (6 year starter) are the offensive leaders for the Jaguars, along with 8th grade shortstop Dylan Scott, last year’s RBI leader. All three of them will be the heart of our order. Taylor Keener and her speed is a big asset to our outfield as well, as well as her leadership. We are very deep with pitching this year, led by senior Alex Dummitt and 8th grader Amber Chaney (Chaney will also be our leadoff hitter entering the season). These two are different types of pitchers, which will allow us to change things up as we need to. Hanna Hollis, Brooke Van Dusen, and Brianna Keener are also part of our pitching depth. Catching is also an area of depth, where Gweny Wessling, Alison Schlieger, and Ariselys Roman provide us with different looks behind the plate. Wessling and Schlieger also provide us with pop, with both of them having exceptional gap power. Leah Moore and Elena Studer will help to anchor our outfield defense on the corners – both are very fast with great gloves. Clhoe Kincart, Anna Ryder, and Erin Hubbard will be key players for us this year, with Kincart, a senior, being the 1st baseman heading into the season. The three new 7th graders – Ashley Chaney, Emily Schmeltz, and Claire Poage – will provide us with depth with their speed, defensive abilities, and their offensive games. We are ready for the 2018 season to begin!

Great report, I hope other coaches will give reports on their teams. Let the snow melt and the season start.