LHS softball opening the season with state tourney aspirations
Mar. 15—The Laramie High softball team is starting the season with the feeling its has the talent to reach the state tournament and make a postseason run.
The Plainsmen are supported by a group of 12 upperclassmen including seniors Brooklyn McKinney, Marisol Gomez, Emilee Sirdoreus, Haley Loya, Paige Kuhn, Ava Yniguz and Danielle Ramirez combined with juniors Amanda Kricken, Calli Cass, Cielo Lujan, Maddie Doser and Carson Milam.
"Our goal is to always make it to state and compete for the championship," coach Luke Andrews said. "We're trying to figure out what the best combination of talent is going to be.
"All seven of our seniors have earned the respect of the freshmen, sophomores and juniors and have the ability to quickly bring the team together."
Last season, the Plainsmen finished 9-14 overall and did not reach the state tourney. LHS' most recent appearance was as the East Conference's No. 4 seed in 2022, going 2-2 at state.
McKinney and Loya referenced Laramie graduates Izabella Pacheco — a pitcher-and-shortstop hybrid — and center fielder Kailyn Ruckman as the losses the team will feel most. However, both players expressed belief in the returning players to play different roles and noted the team's off-field relationships play a factor into that.
"We have a family like connection," McKinney said. "We're more than just a team. We're close on and off the field and I think that plays a big role in us playing better."
McKinney felt Ruckman's ability to patrol the outfield was second-to-none while Pacheco's ability to do everything will be missed. Ruckman now plays at Phoenix College in Arizona, while Pacheco led the team in innings pitched and wins in the circle.
"If a ball was hit toward (Ruckman) in the outfield, I wouldn't even turn to track it," McKinney said. "I knew she would catch it and that's why she's playing college softball down in Arizona.
"(Pacheco) was a solid shortstop and one of our best pitchers. We're going to miss her pitching (depth) for sure."
McKinney also referenced sophomore Alexa Hauser as someone who will play an important role in the outfield.
Loya expects to slide from left to center field defensively. She understands the responsibility difference between positions but thinks her experience in the outfield will translate well.
"My role is more about teaching people new people how to adapt from playing the infield to the outfield," Loya said. "Its completely different and we have a lot of people moving (to the outfield)."
On the mound, Pacheco tossed 55 2/3 innings during 14 games with 10 starts. She finished the season with a 7.79 ERA earned-run average and a 2.156 WHIP — the sum of a pitchers walks and hits divided by total innings pitched.
Kuhn also tossed 44 innings in 10 starts, accumulating a 5.25 ERA and 1.90 WHIP. She finished the year with a 4-5 record in the circle and is expected to fill the "ace" for the Plainsmen.
"I honestly think Paige (Kuhn) is a better pitcher than who we lost," Loya said. "Statistically, she gave up less earned runs and lasted longer into games. I think we will win more games with Paige as our main pitcher."
Cass tossed 18 innings during three starts and was the final Plainsmen pitcher to throw a complete inning last season. She was 0-2 with a 7.77 ERA and a 2.61 WHIP.
"They locate and move the ball well," Andrews said. "I think we'll be able to plug in and replace some of the pitchers we've lost the last few seasons. (Cass) has thrown some for us, (Kricken) is tall lefty and we have a sophomore named Abby Sanchez who could make an appearance."
Sirdoreus and McKinney — all conference selections in 2023 — are expected to be the Plainsmen's run producers. Sirdoreus hit for a .339 average and slugged .532 while McKinney hit .315 and slugged .574.
Both Loya and Andrews feel Milam will play a big role both offensively and behind the dish. Milam drove in 10 runs in 18 games a season ago and had 43 putouts defensively.
"She's definitely got a big bat," Andrews said. "She holds a lot of power and strength. When she gets a hold of one it goes a long way. She's also got a great arm behind the plate and catching will be her main goal this year."
A year ago, losses were formed by simple mistakes leading to a lack in confidence. Hitting with runners in scoring position and an active approach on defense will go a long way in winning more games according to Andrews.
"When we have runners on second and third we need to bring them home," Andrews said. "We also have to be good on defense behind whoever we have pitching. They'll do a good job of keeping hitters off balance and missing barrels.
"That doesn't mean that every out is going to be a strikeout. We want opponents to put a lazy ball in play and for us to make the play behind the pitcher."
Added McKinney: "We have a lot of hard teams in our conference such as a Campbell County (20-9 overall in 2023). We struggled to beat them and going into those games we didn't feel like we could win. We will be better and work on our mental toughness everyday in practice."
Laramie is scheduled to start its season in the Cheyenne Invitational on Saturday with the Plainsmen playing three games. Pending weather, LHS play Rock Springs at 9 a.m., Kelly Walsh at noon and closes out the day against two-time reigning state champion Thunder Basin at 3 p.m..
"We have a lot of girls that play travel in addition to the high school team," McKinney said. "Going back and forth between the two is always a different experience. Once we play this weekend, we'll have a good feel for where we're at."
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Austin Edmonds covers Laramie High, University of Wyoming and community athletics for WyoSports. He can be reached at aedmonds@wyosports.net. Follow him on X at @_austinedmonds.
