4A SIC softball preview: Two defending state champs battle it out. But they aren’t alone
The 4A Southern Idaho Conference remains the toughest league in Idaho, winning seven softball state titles in a row while also taking home the second-place trophy five of those seven years.
But the Treasure Valley-based league got even tougher this year with the return of Skyview, the two-time defending 5A state champ.
So can the Hawks finally end Bishop Kelly’s reign? Or will a new surprise team rise to the top?
We surveyed the league’s coaches to find out. Below are the top contenders and players to watch this spring. Teams are listed in order of their finish in the preseason coaches’ poll.
1. BISHOP KELLY
Last season: 25-4, 14-0 4A SIC
Coach: Missy Nichols, seventh season
Players to watch: Harper Campanella, sr., 3B/SS; Faith Nichols, sr., P/INF; Ava Armuth, jr., C; Addie Johnson, sr., 1B/3B
The three-time defending state champ remains a juggernaut in all phases of the game. Six starters return, including four committed to a college scholarship, to lead an offense that tied its own state tournament scoring record (17.25 run per game) a year ago.
Campanella (.522, 11 home runs), Nichols (.476, five home runs), Armuth (.543, three home runs) and Johnson (.338, seven home runs) remain a threat to bust any game open with a single swing. Opposing pitchers won’t find any relief in the Bishop Kelly batting order, which remains a threat from top to bottom.
Nichols (8-2, 2.93 ERA) takes over the top spot in the pitcher’s circle. But the Knights won’t have to overtax the North Idaho signee with five options capable of eating innings.
2. SKYVIEW
Last season: 30-2, 16-0 5A SIC
Coach: Tim Souza, fourth season
Players to watch: Asha Zamora, sr., P/INF; Rayann Brown, sr., OF; Marae Holloway, sr., P/UTIL; Mako Caringella, so., 2B/SS
The back-to-back 5A state champs only return four starters and lost two-time Gatorade player of the year Delaney Keith to graduation. But the Hawks return plenty of weapons to challenge Bishop Kelly’s supremacy.
Zamora (.317, 11 home runs) and Brown (.447, 11 stolen bases) made the 5A All-Idaho second team last year. Zamora (9-1, 3.70 ERA) remains the Hawks’ top pitcher, and Brown sets the table at the top of the order and turns sure hits into outs regularly.
The pair will lead a new group that finally gets a chance to prove itself after sitting behind a decorated squad that won those past two 5A titles.
3. EMMETT
Last season: 19-6-1, 11-3 4A SIC
Coach: Shawn Marquez, ninth season
Players to watch: Karadyn Fuller, sr., P; Hailee Stephenson, sr., 1B; Kayla Vahlberg, jr., 2B/SS; Harper Goodwin, jr., C/INF
The SIC only gets two berths at state this year, leaving the Huskies with a tall mountain to climb to return to the 4A state tournament for the first time since 2011. But with eight returning starters, Emmett has the talent and experience to pounce should Bishop Kelly or Skyview slip.
Fuller returns as a power arm inside the circle after earning first-team all-conference honors. She and Stephenson (eight home runs) are the only two seniors on a still junior-heavy lineup. But both have committed to play in college and provide plenty of leadership.
4. RIDGEVUE
Last season: 8-17-1, 5-9 4A SIC
Coach: Jodie Hoagland, fourth season
Players to watch: Sierra Escalera, sr., P/SS; Emily Steele, jr., P/UTIL; Kaysha Leighty, jr., OF
The Warhawks tumbled down the standings last year, missing the state tournament for the first time and posting its first losing record in its five-year history. But the perennial contender brings back seven starters that are another year stronger and more mature.
Escalera (10-15, 5.75 ERA) remains Ridgevue’s top threat in the circle, in the field and at the plate. Steele (.444) provides another bat and arm to take the pressure off her. And Leighty serves as a security blanket in center field for a defense that gave up 10.3 runs per game a year ago, a number that will need to plummet for Ridgevue to contend again.
5. VALLIVUE
Last season: 22-10, 10-4 4A SIC
Coach: Kevin Schimmelpfennig, 15th season
Players to watch: Bella Magallon, so., OF; Jaimee Cagle, sr., OF; Angelina Gonzalez, sr., INF
The Falcons brought home a second-place trophy from state last year, the best finish in program history. But they lost three All-Idaho team members to graduation and bring back just four starters.
Magallon (.430, six home runs) leads the young squad after proving herself a dangerous hitter as a freshman. Cagle (.400, 14 stolen bases) provides an elite defender in center field, and Vallivue returns the right side of its infield. But two young pitchers, sophomore Rilyn Zavala and freshman Maddie Farner, will need to replace two seniors inside the circle.
6. COLUMBIA
Last season: 8-18, 4-10 4A SIC
Coach: Wes McCall, fourth season
Players to watch: Hallie Campbell, sr., C/INF; Anna Coulombe, jr., INF; Colby Keckler, sr., C/INF
The Wildcats last made it to state in 2012, but they continue to set their eyes on that goal. Six starters return from a team that won its most games since 2013, and the majority of the roster now plays club ball, providing an infusion of experience and talent.
Campbell (.562, nine home runs) remains one of the league’s most feared hitters, and Coulombe (.487, five home runs) backs her up. But Columbia is still looking for a way to turn flashes of brilliance into seven complete innings.
7. CALDWELL
Last season: 2-24, 1-13 4A SIC
Coach: Molly Mamer, eighth season
Players to watch: Payton Garcia, so., 1B/3B; Haylie Mora, jr., P/INF; Kayla Garcia, sr., C
The Cougars took their lumps last year with a young lineup. Caldwell brings back six starters this spring, but youth and inexperience still remain the name of the game after back-to-back losing seasons.
Garcia (.449) leads that young group after serving as Caldwell’s cleanup hitter as a freshman. And the pitching staff gets a shot in the arm with Rylee Jensen returning after a year off. She’ll team with Mora, a crafty pitcher who threw nearly every inning and gained loads of experience.
