WHEATLAND - Fourth year head softball coach Jodie Fitzwater and her assistant coaches Brian Boaz and Jake Montoya are looking forward to increased overall performance and power-hitters in the 2024 season. Boaz has been coaching for three years, and this will be the second year for Montoya. Fitzwater has been coaching since the program's inception four years ago. 

Three seniors are returning in Rylee Coates, catcher and 3rd base; Macy Jones, outfield; and Hunter Sisson, outfield. These girls have played together since the beginning of the program and should provide great leadership and experience for their supporting cast.

The Bulldogs are coming off a 5-9 2023 season and are looking to build on that. Fitzwater has a robust roster of players this year; three of whom are foreign exchange students who have never played before:  seniors Malin Kahl, Filippa Schmidt, and Pauline Zipperer.

The Bulldogs will field both a JV and Varsity team according to Fitzwater.

In addition to the aforementioned seniors, other returning seniors are Elle Tolle, and Jaycilou Ciz. Juniors are Mackenzie Lockman, Camryn Mickelsen, Delaynie Aurich, Eleni McKee, Sage McGee, and Cheyenne Warren. Sophomores are Karly Adams, Edyn Whitney, Riley Cole, Ella Anderson, and Tatum Struble. Freshman joining the Bulldogs softball squad are Landri Vaughn, Carly Robertson, Haiden Sisson, Halle Huston, Halle Mickelsen, and Ayden Coates. 

"This is the first time we've had three seniors that have been with the program since the start; since they were freshmen," Fitzwater commented. "We also have three sets of siblings playing! Rylee Coates and her sister Ayden, Camryn Mickelsen and her sister Halle, and Hunter Sisson and her sister Haiden Sisson." 

The coach looks to gain more wins this season. 

"We are continually trying to improve our overall performance and to definitely have more wins with each season," she said. "Since the beginning, we are the smallest school by far in our conference and do our best to compete with the larger schools." 

The Bulldogs will face Cheyenne South, Cheyenne East, Cheyenne Central, Thunder Basin, Campbell County, and Laramie. "Each year the girls battle hard and improve tremendously as a team to bring home more wins." 

Thanks to a "never give up" attitude and strong defense, this 'small school' team is able to stay in the game with the bigger schools according to the coach. 

"We know how to keep working regardless of the score," she added. "We focus on the positive aspects of what the team is doing as well as identify areas of improvement and continually work on them. We strive to have a drama-free environment focused on supporting each other, working hard, and creating memorable experiences." 

A focus in the 2024 will be more aggressive running and taking extra bases according to Fitzwater. "We want other teams to have pressure on fielding and throwing the ball cleanly in order to get us out. We want to be more powerful hitters that are focused on moving the runners and not leaving as many runners on bases." 

Currently, there is no regional tournament for softball in Wyoming. The top four teams from the East and West Conferences advance to state. "Next year there will be new teams joining softball from the state and we will have a regional tournament," Fitzwater said.