T-Falls softball has deep pitching rotation
T-Falls softball coach Jared Koskela watches as McKenzie Robinson takes swings in the batting cage during preseason practice last week in T Falls.
Good pitching and more good pitching are a fast pitch softball coaches dream.
The teams lucky enough to have two or more solid pitchers on their staff at the high school level are usually in for a good season.
That being said, Thompson Falls softball coach Jared Koskela has probably had some restful nights as he thinks about a pitching staff with up to five good throwers.
“One of our strengths this year is depth at pitcher,” he said. “I have never had this many players who can pitch. This takes a lot of pressure off a staff with one or two pitchers who are tired and struggling”.
And despite losing a pair of second team All-Conference players from last year, Koskela, who already guided the Blue Hawks football team to the State B-8 championship earlier this school year, is happy with the pitching staff and the number of players who have come out to play.
“I’ve never had this many girls come out to play softball,” said Koskela, who is entering his fifth season at the helm of the Lady Hawks. “And we’ve got some good players coming back this year”.
Among the top returnees are in fact a pair of pitchers, including junior Cheyla Irvine, who is also the team captain and plays infield when not pitching. She is joined by fellow junior Alvia McCormick who pitches and catches and was a 2021 second team All-Conference players, as well as a team captain.
“The number of kids we have out has been a surprise,” he said. “There are other activities available but softball has become popular. And for me, I love being and coaching outdoors. Give me an outdoors game and a ball and I’m a happy guy”.
The large number of girls, which is somewhere close to 30, will actually allow T Falls to have a junior varsity team this year.
“I will field a JV team this year,” he said. “I haven’t been able to do that the past couple of seasons. Having a JV team will provide experience and evaluation for those unable to play in the varsity games”.
As for his thoughts about what makes a successful coaching situation, Koskela said a number of things play into the mix.
“Keep improving through all wins and losses,” Koskela said. “Focus on the small things and big things will happen. Set goals individually and as a team”.
After tonight’s game in Plains, the Hawks will travel out of state, albeit next door Idaho, for a pair of non-conference road games with Kellogg April 4 and Bonners Ferry April 6.
They play their home opener April 7 against league foe Troy.