PLEASANT HILL – Pleasant Hill will show off a new field as it looks to make the state softball playoffs.
The Billies’ booster club raised funds to provide a new turf facility for the softball team while looking to do the same for the baseball team soon.
“We could not be more excited and thankful for the facilities we have been blessed with,” second-year PH coach Nicki Derrick said.
Derrick, who won two state titles as a player at North Douglas, returns 12 players from last season including seven starters.
Center fielder Lex Pardee, who bats in the lead-off spot, and first baseman Erin Bray are the two seniors with starting experience. Allison Rife, Tina Cloyd, Makayla Boaz, Jimena Jimenez-Martinez and Piper Fischer round out the senior group.
Junior Acadia Bloxham is a third-year starter who earned all-conference honors last year as a pitcher and shortstop.
The Billies have a strong sophomore class including Stella Carlton at second base and Reagan Dockery at third base.
Ziara Duarte earned all-conference honors at catcher while June Johnson locked down a starting spot in the outfield.
Sophomore Khloe Perkins is a transfer from Thurston who will pitch for the Billies.
Pleasant Hill also has a strong freshman class that will likely keep the program on the rise under Derrick.
The Billies opened the season with an 11-10 win over Lowell.
