The high school softball season is just a few days away from first pitch with both teams here in town heading out on the road to start the year.
Gering will open the season with a triangular at North Platte on Thursday with games against Papillion-Lavista South and North Platte before playing in the Aurora Tournament on Friday.
Scottsbluff will trek to Lexington for a stand alone game against the Minutemaids on Friday ahead of playing in the Lexington Tournament on Saturday.
Scottsbluff is coming off a 29-9 season a year ago that ended in a trip to the state tournament in Hastings where they went 0-2 with losses to Wahoo and Elkhorn. They reached State with a pair of home wins over Omaha Gross Catholic in the district final.
Despite plenty of losses to graduation from last year’s team the Bearcats plan to “reload” according to head coach Dan Fox. Scottsbluff will feature top bats Taryn Spady, Zoey Paez, Tatum Heimerman, and Marly Laucomer.
Spady last year broke out with 10 homes and a .423 average. As a freshman Paez launched four homers and hit over .400, while Coach Fox said Heimerman had a big summer.
In the circle senior Aubrey Barrett figures to be the top arm while Liz Fuss also should add plenty of innings. Both are seniors.
For the Gering Bulldogs it was a fine opening season in charge for head coach Zach Ostergard, who guided the team to a 24-11 record.
After a big subdistrict tournament title win over Scottsbluff, the Dogs went to Wahoo for a district final and were swept two games to none.
Some of the top players returning for Gering this season will be Sarah Wiese, who threw over 120 innings last season.
At the plate look for sophomore Gabby Moreno to be one of the top players in the region after hitting .500 with 13 extra base hits as a freshman. Senior Nickie Todd also should be a standout, she hit .379 a year ago.
Alliance and Chadron of course field softball teams in the region and now for the first time, Bayard is playing high school softball.
Alliance will play in a road triangular Friday while Chadron visits Southern Valley/Alma and then both teams will play at the Lexington Tournament on Saturday. Bayard is set to open their season at the North Bend Central event on Saturday.