Blue Mountain Community College Head Softball Coach Steve Richards will enter the 2019 season with a young squad, but one with plenty of enthusiasm to take on the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) east division.
Richards is also putting together a powerful group of recruits for the 2020 season, signing seven during the recent early signing period.
“They all have excellent character and academics in addition to their softball skills,” Richards said of the 2019 recruits. “It’s one of the best classes of recruits, top to bottom, that we’ve seen here in a while. Everybody hits the ball well, so our games should be exciting. It will be fun to see how far they can go.”
Signees
Angelina Costa – A catcher/first baseman from Tracy, Calif., who led her high school team to a Division 1 sectional championship this past spring. Costa aspires to become a veterinarian, and so her favorite part of her recent visit to the BMCC campus was a visit to the FARM (Facility for Agricultural Resource Management) and agriculture department. “Angelina brings left-handed power to the Timberwolves’ lineup,” Richards said. “She’s a very enthusiastic player and vocal leader.”
Cierra Harn – A catcher, infielder and outfielder from Sparks, Nev., whose high school team won the 2018 state championship. “Cierra is a very versatile player who can catch and play both the outfield and infield,” Richards said. “I loved the way she swings the bag, and she should provide some good power to our lineup.”
Camille Snead – Infielder and pitcher from Nampa, Idaho, who received honorable mention honors as an infielder for Nampa High School last spring. She plans to study criminal justice at BMCC. “Camille is another very versatile player, who has solid fielding skills and should see some time pitching as well,” Richards said. “I’m excited to see what she does at BMCC.”
Maddie Dalke – A pitcher and first baseman from South Medford High School who was named second team all-conference as a junior. “While only playing for three years, Maddie is developing into a fine pitcher and power hitter,” Richards said. “She will be a fine addition to the pitching circle for BMCC.”
Hannah Meyers – An outfielder from Lakewood High School in Rathdrum, Idaho. “Hannah brings a speed component to our lineup that we haven’t had in a while,” Richards said. “She’s a lefty slap hitter that covers a lot of ground in the outfield. She’ll be a welcome addition.”
Jessie Wiest – A pitcher and first baseman from Bend High School who will be the third member of her family to attend BMCC (her brother and father are both BMCC baseball alumni), and her pitching coach Tom Mauldin is a former BMCC coach. “Jessie is a solid person with some excellent softball skills,” Richards said. “She will be a pitcher our team will rely on for many innings.”
Josey Hawkins – A pitcher from LaPine High School in LaPine, Ore., where she was all-conference both her sophomore and junior seasons. She, too, works with pitching coach and former BMCC coach Tom Mauldin. “Josey brings a solid bat and glove in addition to her pitching skills,” Richards said. “She will be another pitcher we rely on next season.”
BMCC’s 2019 softball season begins March 1 at home with a game vs Everett College at 1 p.m.
