Bulldog softball coach Travis Griffith instructs his charges Friday afternoon on the hill. Photo by Lou Martin.
Baseball
Despite a cool down in temperatures, spring has sprung on the hill as baseball, softball, swimming and track take over the fields at Virgin Valley High School.
Baseball 2015 begins the Justin Goodsell era of Bulldog baseball. Coach Goodsell’s team began official practice on February 21 hoping to turnaround the fortunes of Bulldog baseball. “Were a young team and I’m a new coach,” said Goodsell. “We only have three seniors on the team, Ricky Trujillo, Sergio Pacheco and Junior Paongo who will be a steadying influence on the younger kids. Forty kids began tryouts and we cut down to 30 currently. We will not decide on the Varsity squad until we have a couple weeks experience under our belt and will be moving kids between Varsity and J.V. teams throughout most of the season. I’m pleased with both the talent and how the kids are meshing together. My supporting coaching staff is amazing with Jeff Jensen returning along with last year’s coach Brian Fanning, J.V. coach Joe Wright and Travis Eaton.”
The Bulldogs begin the season against Parowan Utah hosting a double header on Friday, March 6. The Bulldogs hope to improve on their 5-25 2014 season record.
Softball
Annual ‘Desert Winds Softball Classic’ kicks off the 2015 season for the VVHS softball team beginning today to Saturday on the hill. The Dawgs will be hosting Elko, Spring Creek and Lowery from the north and Arbor View, Foothill, Moapa and Cheyenne from the south.
“I see a lot of good things from our kids this year,” said Bulldog coach Travis Griffiths. “We have quite a few younger kids pushing the older kids for positions. We are developing freshman pitchers but pitching does need to come around.” The Bulldogs return seven players from last year including hard hitting third baseman Janella Fiso and catcher Tylee Robison. Sophomore Bernice Fiso should add some power to the Bulldog attack and Emma Barnum should add some speed to the base paths. The Bulldogs went 12-21 overall last year but managed a 7-5 record in 1-A Sunrise League play.
Track
The Bulldog girl and boy track teams began practice on February 21 for the 2015 season. The girls return some strength in the sprints with Kaydee Bingham and Abbie Barnum. Taylor Bryant and Dylan Bryant return in the vaults and Emma Dodenbier and Taylor Bryant in the hurdles. Kaitlyn Frump returns in the longer sprints and distance races. The Bulldogs will host two early season meets on March 13 and 18. The Bulldog boys return Micah Saunders in the leaps and high jump, Chace Henderson in the field events plus Kai Mitchell, Pedro Osuna, Charles Erickson and Tye Rappeleye in the distances.
