Douglas High senior outfielder Annie Hill connects against Bishop Manogue last weekend. Hill was a first team all-region player last spring and will be senior leader on this year's squad.
Photo by Ron Harpin.
Douglas High School softball is entering a new era with first-year head coach Allison Meyer.
Meyer, who is an alumna at Douglas (2016), has no plans on taking a backseat or entertaining an adjustment year.
Some may assume that would be the case given the Tigers graduated four all-region plays and nine seniors last year, but incoming players have Meyer and company optimistic.
One of the Class 5A North’s title contenders in Bishop Manogue found that out this weekend, getting swept by Douglas 5-2 and 14-4 (six innings).
“We're a super young team. I mean, we've got four freshmen,” said Meyer on Saturday after the doubleheader. “These girls have stepped up to the plate. We've been working really hard at practice.”
The Tigers (4-1, 2-0 in Class 5A North) did suffer a non-league loss to Spanish Springs last week, 4-0, but the offense had 10 hits and had several chances to plate multiple runs.
IN THE CIRCLE
Senior Cam McLelland and junior Haylie Pledger will be the two arms the Tigers will rely on for pitching.
McLelland limited the Miners’ to one earned run Saturday and has a 1.31 ERA in 16 innings. She also has 21 strikeouts to five walks in four appearances.
“We want her to throw hard and blow it past girls,” said Meyer. “At the same time, our defense is ready and they know that they're ready every pitch for that ball to go into play.”
When McLelland isn’t pitching, expect to see the senior in left field.
Pledger took over in game two against the Miners and settled into a groove after allowing a first-inning homer. The junior has 14 strikeouts in 17 innings with a 4.94 ERA.
“She's done a great job at changing up her speeds, which gets the batters a little bit off balance and has helped this year lot,” Meyer said.
She’s a dual threat player, too, hitting .357 with two doubles and five RBIs.
LINEUP AND DEFENSE
Senior Annie Hill will be in control of the outfield defense in center.
As a junior, Hill was a first team all-region player, hitting .462 with 16 extra-base hits. She was honorable mention all-region as a sophomore.
“As a senior, I'm really trying to step up and be a leader, especially to the younger girls,” said Hill. “Be really positive and be super loud in the dugout.”
The corner outfield spots will rotate, depending on pitching, but Tiger fans can expect to see a mix of McLelland, freshman Ida Martin and Pledger.
“Annie's definitely earned her spot in centerfield,” said Meyer. “Then our left field and right fielder will change depending on the pitcher.”
At catcher last weekend was Hailee Lister, who is one of the freshman expected to contribute.
Lister will remain behind the plate until the Tigers get junior Peyton Simpson – a 2024 honorable mention all-region player – back from an injury.
The infield will feature two juniors on the right side in Cam Coats at first base and Marissa McLelland at second.
Junior Ava Gildea is expected to hold down shortstop while another freshman, Maddie Lister, will be at third.
“It'll probably stay pretty consistent,” said Meyer of the infield. “We don't have a ton of girls to work with, and so instead of moving them around a lot, we're keeping them pretty consistent.”
Marissa McLelland has been the Tigers’ leadoff hitter, boasting a .571 clip in 21 at-bats.
The Tigers had 14 doubles, a triple and six home runs in their first five games.
The consistency Douglas is expected to play with in the field will be aided by a steady transition from former head coach John Glover to Meyer.
“I mean every coach is different, but the culture is the same,” said Hill. “She (Meyer) was on the team last year, so the culture just carried over for sure.”
(Maddison Lister looks to throw from her third base position Saturday. Lister is one of a handful of freshman on varsity. / Ron Harpin)
AROUND THE NORTH
The Class 5A North might be one of the most competitive leagues around.
While the Tigers expect to add to their three consecutive regional titles, Bishop Manogue, Spanish Springs and Reed will all be formidable foes.
“I think it's going to be a competitive year,” Meyer said. “We're really excited. Reed, Spanish Springs and Manogue, I think are going to be our toughest competitors this year.”