5A SIC softball: Can anyone catch Eagle?

The Eagle High softball team enters the season not only as a conference or state favorite. The Mustangs also are drawing national attention, ranked No. 6 in the country by MaxPreps.com. After posting a 30-1 record last season on its way to the 5A state title, outscoring opponents by an average of 12 runs a game and returning a boatload of college talent, it’s not hard to see why.

Bradie Fillmore, sr., P/SS, Eagle

After dominating the state for three years, the Cal signee finally enters her senior season. Fillmore racked up unbelieveable numbers to lead the Mustangs to the state title as a junior, hitting .609 with 14 home runs and 71 RBIs and posting a 0.43 ERA with 179 strikeouts in 98 innings.

“I wish her the best in her senior year because she can get it done at the plate, from the mound or on the field,” Rocky Mountain coach Missy Nichols said. “She’s just feisty and competitive no matter where you put her. From the mound, her rise is nearly unstoppable.”

BOISE BRAVES

Coach: Brian Barber, eighth season

Last year: 17-11, 11-5 5A SIC

Returning all-conference: Isabelle Butler, sr., SS (first team); Elena Cook, sr., OF (first team); Trinity Cook, sr., P (first team)

Breakdown: After starting four freshmen last season, the Braves could take a leap up the standings with more experience. Boise returns seven varsity members, including a pair of Division I signees in shortstop Isabelle Butler (Boise State) and outfielder Elena Cook (Portland State).

BORAH LIONS

Coach: Missy Wheeler, fifth season

Last year: 4-18, 2-14 5A SIC

Returning all-conference: Lily Gregory, jr., OF (second team); Amaya Bentley, jr., SS (honorable mention)

CAPITAL EAGLES

Coach: Shane Alder, 10th season

Last year: 13-11, 12-4 5A SIC

Returning all-conference: Hannah Spero, sr., INF (first team); Alex Wilson-Jenkins, jr., P (second team); Brynn Dittman, sr., OF (honorable mention); Hanah Hazel, jr., INF (honorable mention); Devanie Ferguson, so., INF (honorable mention)

Breakdown: The Eagles only field two seniors, but they return loads of talent with eight varsity members. Spero, who will play at Central Washington next year, leads a dangerous lineup that could threaten the traditional powers.

CENTENNIAL PATRIOTS

Coach: Dean Diffin, first season (seventh overall)

Last year: 10-15, 7-9 5A SIC

Returning all-conference: Carolyn Murrey, sr., 1B (honorable mention); Kaitlyn Allen, so., OF (honorable mention)

Breakdown: Diffin returns to the program after taking two years off. He inherits a young team, but said the Patriots can swing the bat, especially slugging first baseman Carolyn Murrey. “Being a young team, we can’t beat ourselves and need to make good decisions,” Diffin said.

COLUMBIA WILDCATS

Coach: Kerri Pline, second season

Last year: 2-21, 1-15 5A SIC

Returning all-conference: Tayler Drake, sr., OF (honorable mention)

Breakdown: The Wildcats return five players from last year’s squad, which struggled with the transition to 5A. Pline said it’ll take awhile for Columbia to get up to speed, but she likes an offense led by Drake, who hit .404 out of the leadoff spot last year.

EAGLE MUSTANGS

Coach: Nicole Rollins, first season

Last year: 30-1, 16-0 5A SIC

Breakdown: The Mustangs begin a new era as former assistant Nicole Rollins takes over for Doug Corta, who died in November after fighting a brain tumor. She inherits a formidable squad at the plate with three returners who hit better than .500 last year, and seven who topped .400. With Bradie Fillmore (Cal signee) and Autumn Moffat (BYU commit) in the circle, opponents will need to scratch for any runs.

MERIDIAN WARRIORS

Coach: Thomas Pinkley, 10th season

Last year: 19-12, 7-9 5A SIC

Returning all-conference: Lexi Knauss, jr., SS (second team); Keana Reyes-Burke, jr., CF (second team)

MOUNTAIN VIEW MAVERICKS

Coach: Tim Souza, third season

Last year: 20-9, 11-5 5A SIC

Returning all-conference: Megan Browne, sr., P (honorable mention); Annalisa Hawk, sr., INF (honorable mention)

NAMPA BULLDOGS

Coach: Jim Beebe, sixth season

Last year: 4-20, 3-13 5A SIC

Returning all-conference: None

Breakdown: Sophomore Kayleigh Hibbard carries the bulk of the load for Nampa, batting cleanup after hitting over .400 last season, and pitching the bulk of the innings. Look for third baseman Katherine Tiffany to provide some lineup protection.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN GRIZZLIES

Coach: Missy Nichols, third season

Last year: 23-6, 14-2 5A SIC

Returning all-conference: Courtney Pestka, sr., CF (first team); Hailey Hicks, sr., SS (second team); Sammy Lasure, sr., RF (honorable mention);

Breakdown: The Grizzlies look to rebound after finishing second in the 5A SIC regular season, then failing to make it to state. A loaded lineup should help ensure that doesn’t happen again. Center fielder Courtney Pestka (Weber State signee) hit .480 last year with 25 stolen bases. Hicks (College of Idaho signee) hit .321 with four home runs.

TIMBERLINE WOLVES

Coach: John Stegmaier, second season

Last year: 4-20, 3-13 5A SIC

Returning all-conference: Cassie Schmidt, so., 1B/3B/P (honorable mention)

Breakdown: The Wolves remain short on experience on varsity and on the club circuit. But junior pitcher Audry Sievers gives Timberline one steady hand as she returns for her second year as a starter.

VALLIVUE FALCONS

Coach: Kevin Schimmelpfennig, sixth season

Last year: 18-12, 9-7 5A SIC

Returning all-conference: Kona Bustos, so., SS (honorable mention); Emma Longoria, jr., 3B (honorable mention); Melice Rodriguez, jr., C (honorable mention); Naomi Ward, sr., OF (honorable mention)

Breakdown: Graduation robbed the Falcons of two four-year starters and a three-year starter, leaving a hole in the pitcher’s circle. But with a young group led by Kona Bustos, who hit .424 as a freshman, Schimmelpfennig said Vallivue could play a spoiler role at district.

This story was originally published March 19, 2016 at 11:43 PM with the headline "5A SIC softball: Can anyone catch Eagle?."