THURSTON
■ Coach: Jeff Litle
■ Last year: 23-6, 15-3 in Midwestern League, second place. Defeated West Albany 15-13 in the first round of playoffs and defeated Wilsonville, 12-2, in second round of playoffs. Defeated Crater 18-15 in state semifinals before losing 9-0 to Ridgeview in the state title game.
■ Outlook: The Colts return five all-league players who helped them reach the state title game last year. Senior catcher Daphnie Heckel was a first-team selection along with outfielder Syren Ferguson, who earned a Gold Glove award. Junior third baseman Raygan Litle was a second-team selection at third base while junior Kassidy Anderson earned second-team honors at third base. Junior Rosalina Montes was an honorable mention selection as an infielder.
SPRINGFIELD
■ Coach: Jessica Branson
■ Last year: 4-23 overall, 0-18 in Midwestern League, seventh place.
■ Outlook: Senior Emma Patrick-Busby is the top returnee for the Millers after earning all-league honorable mention last year. Springfield got off to a good start on the offensive side during a 20-11 loss to North Salem to open the season.
CRESWELL
■ Coach: Scott Worsham
■ Last year: 9-15 overall, 5-10 in Mountain Valley Conference, fourth place.
■ Outlook: The Bulldogs are optimistic of making a run back to the playoffs for the first time since 2024 with nine returning players, including four seniors who earned all-conference honors last season. Elise Thackara was a first-team, all-conference player last season while Savannah Rook was a second-team selection at catcher. Jordyn Marklin also earned second-team all-conference honors in the outfield and Regan Gwaltney was honorable mention at infield. The Bulldogs hope an improved defense can help them find their way back to the postseason.
COTTAGE GROVE
■ Coach: Sarah Thompson, second season
■ Last year: 15-11 overall, 6-6 in Sky-Em League, third place. Lost to La Grande 11-1 in the opening round of playoffs.
■ Outlook: The Lions graduated four seniors off a playoff team, including one of the best players in school history as Addison Hitt has moved on to play at Southwestern Oregon Community College. Thompson brings back eight returning players for her second season with the Lions. The coach has been experimenting with new positions and various lineups. The Lions also added a handful of players from Yoncalla as the two schools are doing a co-op this season.
PLEASANT HILL
■ Coach: Nicki Derrick, second season
■ Last year: 8-16 overall, 7-8 in Mountain Valley Conference, third place.
■ Outlook: The Billies hope to move up in the standings during Derrick’s second season as coach with 12 returning players, including seven starters. Junior shortstop Acadia Bloxham has started since her freshman year and was an all-conference selection. Sophomores Stella Carlson and Reagan Dockery return at second base and third base, respectively. Senior Erin Bray is back at first base while Lex Pardee is in center field and batting at the top of the order. Sophomore June Johnson started last year in left field while Ziara Duarte is back at catcher where she earned all-league honors last season as a freshman. Sophomore pitcher Khloe Perkins joins the team as a transfer from Thurston. Pleasant Hill has a new turf field donated by the booster club that they hope turns into a home-field advantage this season.
