Fastpitch: Clover Park Learning How to Compete

Clover Park fastpitch preview

• Last season's record

Over the past years, the Warriors' fastpitch team has struggled to win but those numbers are not indicative of their success and vast improvement from day one until the end of the season, said head coach Jenee James.

"If there was an award for most improved and most heart Clover Park would be atop the list for sure," James said.

The Warriors look to earn a victory after consecutive losing seasons.

• Captains

The Warriors have a very young team this year comprised mostly of underclassmen including a lineup of seven freshmen including their pitcher and catcher.

• Keys to the season

The key to Clover Park's year will be blood, sweat and tears and still want more, James said. It's a motto the girls came up with and they live it daily she said. Other keys will be working harder than the day before and striving to get better with every repetition, James said.

"Although this is the first time ever playing for over half of these girls the fire and determination they have is scary," James said. "If you are able to combine their integrity, intensity and determination with athletic ability and true knowledge of the game the type of player you would have here is fierce."

• Games to watch out for

This is Clover Park's first year in the SPSL 2A, which has proved to be a good transition, James said, adding a couple non-league games against Lincoln, Foss and the Washington Patriots within their league should be good.

"I would say watch our first game of the season then watch the last and you will have seen two completely different teams," James said.

• Returning players 

The Warriors have just two returning players who saw limited action on last year's senior-laden varsity team. They are sophomore Bria Crawford and senior Magaly Santos, both outfielders.

• Key losses in terms of personnel

 James said they lost their entire infield and that being a school host to many military families is a big burden for most sports there.

"In addition to losing our infield due to graduation, we also lost our would-be starting pitcher and first baseman and catcher Alicia Pate to relocation," she said.

• Head coach name and how many years with the team

Clover Park head coach Jenee James is entering her fifth year and her assistant Katie Kasper her fourth, respectively.

• Coach prediction

"I predict this year will be an eventful year full of ups and downs and surprise endings," James said. "They are determined to out-work, out-hustle and out-do anyone they face. "I am looking forward to each and every day of the season this
year. I know the progress we make day-to-day may seem insurmountable to most but I guarantee this will be a whole different  team at the end of the year."