Hard week of improvement for Ladies

Tristen Daniels was introduced Monday as the new head coach for Lake Roosevelt softball after a hard week of improvement and growth.

The week started with a home game April 2 against Brewster when the Lady Raiders lost 30-4.

Because of spring break several of the girls had left with their families, leaving the interim coaches with holes to fill for Thursday's doubleheader against Brewster.

The Lady Raiders continued to struggle and suffered two more hard losses at the hands of the Bears. Returning home for a doubleheader against the Waterville Shockers on Saturday without starters Jada Desautel, Hailey Chaney, Johnny McCraigie and Keya Fasthorse, the younger Lady Raiders stepped up to the challenge. Ashley Semmens took left field, Brianna Whalawitsa-Goggles filled in at third base, Burgandy Day went out to right field, and Raelynn Dennis headed to the mound with Jazmine Marchand as her catcher.

In the field, the girls showed more confidence in their positions and played with more vigor than seen in earlier games. Ciara Nault showed good leadership on the field and poise at the plate which set the tone for others to follow.

Raelynn Dennis showed promise in her pitching debut, and as a catcher she showed a great deal of improvement since Monday. Dennis was relieved by Danielle Laramie and went to second in Laramie's place. Dennis then was called to be catcher when Marchand was injured in a collision with a Waterville runner at home plate.

On the mound, Laramie struck out a Shocker and exhibited control of her pitches, but sustained a shoulder injury which caused her to be moved to another position.

LR’s offense was also improved, with the girls driving in three runs to tie the score 13-13 before the last inning. The Shockers connected for a 10-run inning to finish the first game for a Waterville win 23-13.

The second game saw more improvement but with the injuries to Marchand and Laramie, the Shockers came away again with the victory.

Interim Head Coach Kevin Rosenbaum was pleased with the way Nault, Dennis, and Laramie stepped it up to lead the Lady Raiders. He noted the Lady Raiders are still a work in progress with girls still being shifted around to find the best position for them.

With their starters back and with new Head Coach Tristen Daniels at the helm, the Raiders took to the field in Grand Coulee last night against the Fillies of Bridgeport for a 4:30 game.

LR will travel to Bridgeport on Saturday to finish the season series with a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m.