NIC softball shuts out Explosion, looks ahead to spring

The North Idaho College softball team ended its fall season with three convincing wins against the Washington Explosion out of the Tri-Cities. The Lady Cardinals beat the Explosion 20-0, 12-0, and 9-0 Oct. 19 at Memorial Field in Coeur d’Alene to conclude their fall season.

“We’re just really starting to roll offensively and I wish we had a couple more games, but this is it,” NIC head softball coach Don Don Williams said.

NIC pitchers didn’t allow one Explosion player to cross the plate. Freshman Tori Almos pitched the first game, sophomore Hunter Allen pitched the second game and Brittany Hecker and Laura Potts shared pitching duties in the third and final game.

Williams is impressed with Almos and Miranda Powless’ performances in the pitcher’s circle this fall. She said that they might be the aces on NIC’s pitching staff when the spring season comes.

“Right now it’s looking more like Tori and Miranda at this point and time, but we still have eight to 10 weeks of training left, so a lot can happen in that time,” Williams said. “But right now, I think it looks like we’re going to have some freshmen in the circle.”

Williams also likes the way her young infield has played, including third baseman Madison Anthony, first baseman Powless, and middle infielders Marissa Tarin and Allison Paladeni. All of them are freshmen except for Paladeni.

“I think people will be pleasantly surprised with how solid our infield is,” Williams said.

As for the spring season, the season that counts, Williams is optimistic.

“I think that if we work hard over this winter, then good things will happen,” Williams said. “I think that we have the defense and the offense to win ball games in the SWAC (Scenic West Athletic Conference). We just need to stay committed.”