Lady Vandal softball gets frosh reinforcements

You’ll see plenty of new faces in new places around the diamond this season, as the Eureka County High School softball team returns just one senior and two juniors. A freshman class of five players – Avery Berg, Darianna Lopez Cebreros, Julianna Goicoechea, Charlee Sestanovich and Holly Sullivan –  offers head coach Lindsay Stith a lot of new talent, however. 

Stith said this incoming class is “expected to bring energy, dedication and a strong work ethic,” adding that they “each arrive with a passion for the game and a willingness to learn and compete.”

“The group has already shown great attitudes, strong fundamentals, and a team-first mindset,” she said. “As they transition into the program, their enthusiasm and commitment to improving every day are expected to make a positive impact both on and off the field, adding depth and excitement to the future of the team.” 

The Lady Vandals were winless in league play last year, so the expectation for this team is to develop a winning culture, especially with such a large freshman class that could play together for four years. Despite lacking experience and depth – just a dozen players make up the roster – the Vandals have a unique opportunity to grow the program by showing the promise of this young group. Much of that promise will depend on the pitching staff, and the freshman class has two with potential: Berg and Sullivan. 

“We’re welcoming back six returning players and two new faces who are sophomores this year,” Stith informed. Junior Trinity Hudson returns as primarily a left fielder and pitcher. Classmate Mya Tognotti returns to play catcher and on the right side of the infield. Sophomore Jayde Rosener returns to the left side of the diamond after getting into nine games last year, and classmate Charleigh Osmotherly returns after hitting .368 with a .478 on-base percentage over 10 games last season. 

The Lady Vandals haven’t qualified for State since 2016, and with 10 teams to contend with in the Northern 1A, including last year’s State runners-up out of Wells (4-0, 2-0), it’s not likely this team will do so. But the Vandals immediately get an opportunity to make a statement, as Eureka starts its season at Wells High School (4-0, 2-0) on Tuesday, March 10 at 3 p.m.

The league season starts on Friday at Smith Valley High School, where the Vandals will play a doubleheader on March 13. Game one is at 11 a.m. and game two is at 1 p.m. Then the Vandals take to Pyramid Lake (2-4, 0-2) for another doubleheader the next day. First pitches are once again scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Pyramid Lake was the other Northern 1A State qualifier last season.