West Linn softball hoping be in the mix

The Lions are ready for more after reaching 6A quarterfinals in 2023 state playoffs.

Team: West Linn softball

Coach: Gina Garvey

Team Leaders: Senior first baseman Courtney Williams, junior shortstop Rylee Gaustad and senior center fielder Jenna Wheeler.

Williams is a “fantastic defensive player — nothing gets by her — (and) she can hit lights out,” said West Linn coach Gina Garvey, whose team reached the Class 6A state quarterfinals in 2022. “We’ll see how many home runs she ends up with this season.”

Gaustad, Garvey said, “is just an overall athlete … and she’s killing it at short already. She is also our leadoff hitter (and) starts off on the right foot every game and gets us going,” adding that Wheeler “is one of the best outfielders I have ever seen. The coaches like to call her ‘death to fly balls.’ If it is hit even remotely close, she will be there to catch it.”

The Lineup: Pitchers — Freshman starter Kendall Atwood, freshman reliever Mckayla Castro. Catcher — Junior Charlotte Brooke, freshman Piper Ruthrauff, junior Chloe Hart. First base — Williams, senior Grace Leben-Wollen. Second base — Senior Rebecca Gomez. Shortstop — Gaustad. Third base — Junior Gracie Gabel. Left field — Senior Chloe Dehlin. Center field — Wheeler. Right field — Freshman Vivienne McGraw. Outfield — Senior Alyssa Samuel, senior Jenna Wheeler. Utility — Junior Beatrice Gilroy.

Outlook: “We are definitely going to compete this season and fight for (first place),” Garvey said. “We are focused on staying confident in ourselves and pushing ourselves to succeed. This team is determined and is going to do whatever they need to succeed.”

League race: “It’s going to be an arms race between Oregon City, Lakeridge and West Linn,” Garvey added. “Oregon City and Lakeridge have a lot of talent and have had fantastic starts to their season.”

See the Lakeridge team preview by clicking here.

See the Lake Oswego team preview by clicking here.

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