4A SIC softball preview: Bishop Kelly is a juggernaut. But these are the top challengers
Softball supremacy in the loaded 4A Southern Idaho Conference never lasts long. One team rises to the top, then a new challenger knocks it off and the cycle repeats over and over again.
But that’s expected to end this year.
Bishop Kelly finished as the unanimous favorite in a preseason coaches’ poll conducted by the Idaho Statesman, leaving the Knights as potentially the first team to repeat as district champs since 2015.
But trophies don’t get awarded on paper. So who stands as the top challengers to Bishop Kelly this spring? And just how dangerous are the Knights? Read on to find out.
THE FAVORITE
BISHOP KELLY
Last season: 23-3, 13-1 4A SIC
Coach: Missy Nichols, sixth season
Players to watch: Kaysie Jolley, sr., 2B/SS; Kayla Stoker, sr., C/1B; Ysabella Villegas, sr., C/2B/SS; Pilar Cook, sr., P
The Knights dominated their way to conference, district and state titles last season. And they enter as the prohibitive favorites to do it again with nine returning starters from a team that hit 70 home runs and set an all-class, fastpitch scoring record at last year’s state tournament (17.25 runs per game).
The lineup remains stacked from top to bottom with Jolley (.670 batting average, 15 home runs, 50 RBIs), Stoker (.531, 10 home runs, 43 RBIs), Harper Campanella (.539, 16 HRs, 40 RBIs) and Cook (.459, 11 HRs, 38 RBIs) serving as just a few of the long-bomb threats.
The team will even head to Florida for a spring break tournament to see how it stacks up nationally.
THE CONTENDERS
MIDDLETON
Last season: 16-9, 11-3 4A SIC
Coach: Kristen Karanzias, first season
Players to watch: Joely Crider, sr., P/UTIL; Jorja Crider, so., SS/UTIL; Taylee Hunt, so., C/UTIL; Paige Pieper, jr., C/1B
The Vikings stand as Bishop Kelly’s top challenger with six returning starters, a deep lineup and a slick-fielding defense.
The Crider sisters lead the way again after both earned second-team all-conference honors last year. Joely hit .500 with six home runs and 34 RBIs while serving as the ace pitcher (5-3, 3.47 ERA). And Jorja had a monster freshman season, hitting .568 with six home runs and 50 RBIs while anchoring the team at shortstop.
A flexible group gives Middleton the ability to mix and match its lineup. But Karanzias cautioned the Vikings still feature eight underclassmen.
RIDGEVUE
Last season: 22-10, 9-5 4A SIC
Coach: Jodie Hoagland, third season
Players to watch: Sydney Bryson, sr., 2B/SS; Brenna Wilson, sr., OF; Brooklynn Durant, jr., UTIL; Sierra Escalera, jr., P/UTIL
The Warhawks return just four starters from last year’s district and state runner-up. But Hoagland said finishing so close to a championship has motivated Ridgevue throughout the offseason.
The lineup may not feature as many well-known names as years past. But Bryson (.315, 20 RBIs) and Wilson (.325, 16 RBIs) were key players last season. And Hoagland said the defense remains strong behind Escalera (9-3, 4.51 ERA), who takes over the No. 1 pitching role after the graduation of Reiss McIntyre, a four-year starter.
THE DARK HORSES
EMMETT
Last season: 13-14, 5-9 4A SIC
Coach: Shawn Marquez, 10th season
Players to watch: Not available
The Huskies did not respond to multiple requests to participate in the Statesman’s preview.
VALLIVUE
Last season: 22-11, 9-5 4A SIC
Coach: Kevin Schimmelpfennig, 10th season
Players to watch: Yazmin Garcia, sr., INF; Brooke Garman, sr., INF; Britney Henderson, sr., P; Isabella Magallon, fr., OF/C
The Falcons return six starters after winning the third-place trophy at state last year. But they start the year with question marks in their batting order after graduating the heart of their lineup.
The defense should remain strong with plenty of returning experience and Henderson (13-4) back as the ace of the pitching staff. And Vallivue isn’t starting from scratch at the plate. Garcia (.420, eight home runs, 52 RBIs) and Garman (.408, eight home runs, 25 stolen bases) were first-team all-conference picks last year.
NAMPA
Last season: 11-13, 7-7 4A SIC
Coach: Stephen Imbriani, third season
Players to watch: Kaylee Snead, sr., SS; Haylee Holloway, fr., P; Angelina Yzquierdo, so., 3B/2B; Melyssa Watson, fr., 1B
The Bulldogs enter a transition year with just three returning starters. Five freshmen and sophomores are slated for starting roles. How quickly they adjust to the varsity game will determine how far Nampa goes.
Snead (.333, 28 runs, 16 stolen bases) takes on a leadership role as one of the few seniors and a three-year starter. But look for Holloway and Watson to have breakout freshman seasons and establish a bright future at Nampa.
THE UNDERDOGS
COLUMBIA
Last season: 5-20-1, 2-12 4A SIC
Coach: Wes McCall, third season
Players to watch: Hallie Campbell, jr., C/INF; Anna Coulombe, so., INF; Lauraye Pfnister, sr., UTIL
McCall warns the rest of the 4A SIC not to take the Wildcats for granted anymore. With seven returning starters, he said Columbia may have the best infield in the conference and one of its most talented teams in program history.
The Wildcats haven’t made the state tournament since 2012. So installing confidence remains one of the largest hurdles, he noted. But after several restarts and rebuilds, he believes Columbia has all the talent needed to make waves in a loaded league.
CALDWELL
Last season: 3-21, 0-14 4A SIC
Coach: Molly Mamer, sixth season
Players to watch: Stephanie Bryson, sr., UTIL/INF
The Cougars’ rebuilding project continues after heavy graduation losses. Caldwell lost seven seniors from last season, including four who were four-year starters. So youth is the name of the game.
Bryson headlines the Cougars after hitting .450 last season. A shoulder injury limited her to designated-hitter duties last season. But with it healed, Caldwell plans to use her all over the field.
