Young Cardinals ready for opening flight

COEUR d'ALENE - While short on experience in the field, the North Idaho College softball teamhopes torely on a couple familiar faces in the circle to keep theCardinalsin the thick of the Scenic West Athletic Conference race this season.

NIC opens the 2011 season Friday at the Mizuno Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas.

NIC returns four players, and adds former Post Falls High standout Blake Meredith, who transferred to NIC for her sophomore season.

Meredith, a pitcher as a freshman last year at South Carolina-Upstate, was recruited out of high school by NIC, but opted to go to the Division I school in Spartanburg, S.C.

"She's definitely going to be a key for us this year," said NIC coach Don Don Williams, who started the Cardinal program in 1998. "She's a 5-foot-10 left-handed pitcher that should give us some experience in the circle. She came to me and said she was staying around this year and wanted to know if we had a spot for her. She'll definitely get something from this and wind up in a better situation."

When Meredith is not on the mound, she'll play at first base according to Williams.

Alyssa Erickson also returns after going 12-11 with a 3.38 ERA last season for NIC. Erickson led the team with 167 2/3 innings pitched.

"She pitched a lot of innings for us last season," Williams said. "She's got a lot of experience in the circle for us. It's nice to have some pitching back."

Also back is sophomore catcher Shelby Gonzales, who started in spots for Renae Kimbell last season.

Kimbell moved on to Division II Augusta State in Georgia.

"She learned a lot from Renae about our system last year and has slid in behind the plate," Williams said. "She got a lot of experience hitting last year and should be able to move right in behind the plate."

Juliann Harnett returns at second base and Maddie Edwards, a utility player in 2010, also returns. Hartnett batted .337 last season, with 48 RBIs for the 33-30 Cardinals.

Former Lake City High standout Jessica Ross, who was named to the All-Region 18 team as a freshman, is still enrolled at NIC, but did not return to the team due to personal reasons, Williams said.

“This year, we’ve got more depth with our pitching,” Williams said. “I like how we are right now with our battery. Defensively, if we can settle in, it’s just a matter of producing runs.”

NIC will start seven freshmen in the field this season.

Desirae Tinoco (Oxnard, Calif.) will step in at third base, and Kristina DeAnda (Stockton, Calif.) will play shortstop.

“Desirae’s got a great glove on the corner,” Williams said. “She stops a lot of balls and should go well on the corner. Kristina can play anywhere in the infield, but fits best on the team at shortstop. She’s got some big shoes to fill from Lauren Maloney, but is doing a good job.”

Maloney moved on to Division I Stony Brook in New York, following graduation along with Alyssa Hawley, who also joined the Seawolves roster this spring.

Meredith, along with former Coeur d’Alene Viking Nina Goodwin, will share duties at first base. 

“Nina will be seeing some time at first base when Blake is pitching,” Williams said. “She’s worked hard during the fall taking her game to the next level. She’s put the time in and will see some playing time. We’ll see how she’s developed since fall ball.”

Amanda Krier, the former Lake City High standout and an NJCAA first-team All-American last season, is playing at Adelphi University in Long Island, N.Y.

Brianna Bishop (Twin Falls) and Ashley Moon (Spokane) also figure to see time around the infield this season.

KaSara Wise, a product of North Central High in Spokane, and Kelsey LaVaute of Missoula will play the outfield for NIC, along with Edwards.

“Kelsey came to us as a catcher,” Williams said. “She’s got a great bat and is real strong and powerful. KaSara can play infield, outfield and will probably be our leadoff hitter. She’ll do a great job and has some experience in the outfield.”

Angie Boardman, a former NIC player who played on two NJCAA College World Series qualifiers, including the national runner-up in 2007, returns to the Cardinals as assistant coach. Boardman went on to play at the University of Utah following her time at NIC.

“She’s a great mentor to have for the girls,” Williams said. “It’s great to have alumni come back and help with the program.”

Last year, Salt Lake went 61-4 overall and 44-3 in the SWAC to win the conference over Southern Idaho, which finished second at 47-20, 34-13.

“Salt Lake had that big run last year and CSI was real sophomore heavy last year,” Williams said. “But those two graduated a lot of sophomores, as we did too. I still expect them to be toward the top of the league, but it’s going to be interesting.”

Williams also expects Southern Nevada to contend.

NIC’s home opener is scheduled for March 4 against Southern Idaho at Memorial Field.

“I’d rather be on the road than at home in February anyway,” Williams said. “Our field is tough to get ready to go when wet, so it works out well for us.”

The NJCAA College World Series will be held in St. George, Utah, May 19-21.