With the pitching staff shored up, the Sedro-Woolley fastpitch team is looking to fill a number of positions left by seniors last season.

The Cubs will return sophomore pitchers Maddie Lynch-Crumrine and Bailey Brewer, who both have a year of experience to draw on this year.

“Both of them have played on Select teams during the summer and have gotten stronger,” Cubs coach Laura Schmidt said. “They’re trying to make each pitch work for them and move correctly. They were a bit unsure of their roles last year and this year they have confidence and know what they’re expected to do.”

Although the pitching staff is solidified, not many other key positions are locked up yet, the coach said.

The team lost six seniors to graduation last year, including catcher Nikki Adams, first baseman
Aimee Fischer and center fielder Tessa Bisbey.

To make up for the loss, the squad will have to rely on its limited number of varsity returnees. Schmidt said returning senior Kelsey Gibbs has been trying out catching responsibilities to fill the void left by Adams. Other returnees for Sedro-Woolley include junior Wendy Ringhouse and DeeAnna Haahr, but their positions have yet to be determined.

New to varsity this season will be junior Ashley Joneli and sophomore Anna Gallagher — both of which have infield experience, Schmidt said.

Newcomer Cheyenne Best, a freshman, will also see some playing time, likely as an infielder.

“I think it’s exciting because it’s an opportunity to see who works best in which position,” Schmidt said. “They’re all willing to try and see what the best combination may be.”

Regardless of who will be taking the field, the Cubs need to improve on their hitting if they hope to improve on last year. The team reached the 3A district tournament only to lose to Shorecrest 4-3.

“Our emphasis is cohesiveness and working on offense,” Schmidt said. “We need to play one pitch at a time and not try to think of the whole ball game at once.”