CALDWELL, Idaho – Replacing a pair of outfield starters is among the top priorities for The College of Idaho softball team heading into the season opener next Friday at Ottawa University.
The Yotes graduated two senior mainstays in the line-up, as four-year players
Micha Fortune and
Aleah Mendiola have moved on. Fortune played in 106 games with the Coyotes and had a .333 career batting average, tying for the team lead in 2021 with 28 stolen bases. Mendiola started 99 games in her C of I career, posting a .300 career average with six homers and 45 RBI.
What the Yotes do have coming back is a 2-year starter in centerfield and eight others who have played outfield in their careers. That group, joined by a pair of newcomers, could have a major impact on the 2022 season.
Junior
Hattie Hruza had a huge NAIA National Tournament, hitting .375 between the Opening Round and World Series, with two doubles, three home runs and six RBI. Hruza has started 70 games in center over the past two seasons – finishing 2021 with seven doubles, six homers and 29 RBI, while making just one error on the year.
Fellow junior, Lexi Navarette, is expected to start the season in right field – making the jump to an everyday player after biding her time behind veteran outfielders. Navarette has hit .265 over her first two seasons in limited action, adding a pair of doubles, a triple and five RBI.
The big battle will be for the left field job – as a big group of players have all impressed during fall workouts and during the first two weeks of spring camp.
Two-sport athlete
Alyssa Goff returns to the diamond after missing last spring while playing for C of I's soccer team. As a sophomore, the left-handed hitting Goff hit .360 and started 19 games at the position.
The trio of
Lysette Villegas,
Lauren Garman and
Makenna Luke all platooned in the outfield last season during fourth games of Cascade Conference series. The speedy Villegas went 5-for-8 at the plate, while scoring 13 runs as the Yotes top pinch runner. Garman hit .344 with five RBI in 32 at bats, while Luke drove in four runs and hit .235 in 10 games.
Newcomer
Brinley Iverson has put herself squarely in the picture after a stellar prep career at Twin Falls High. Iverson hit .429 with 16 extra-base hits and 33 RBI during her senior season, earning All-Great Basin Conference honors, helping her team to the 4A state tournament.
Four others will battle for playing time as well – returning outfielders
Payton Bates,
Daralyn Moura and
Paisley Mederios, as will true freshman
McCarty Stoddard.
