FERNDALE

GOLDEN EAGLES

Coach: Holly Hilton

Last year: Finished second in the Class 3A Northwest Conference standings with a 4-9 record. ... Ended season after going 0-2 in the Class 3A Northwest District Tournament and finished 7-15 overall.

Players to watch: Corrie Wilson (sr., C); Collette Brown (jr., 1B/OF); Jacquelyn Anderson (sr., 1B/OF); Renae Mader (sr., 2B); Lauren Maley (so., P); Scarlett Nyenhuis (so., P/OF/3B); Kadence Kane (so., OF/SS/C)

Outlook: Golden Eagles coach Holly Hilton is still trying to piece together her starting lineup, but she made it clear there's plenty of hope and promise heading into the new year. And for good reason. Sure, Ferndale lost All-NWC shortstop Katie Brudwick to graduation, but the Golden Eagles return Saint Martin's commit Corrie Wilson behind the plate, and she'll be catching for Lauren Maley and Scarlett Nyenhuis, who each have a year of varsity experience. Hilton doesn't want her club to focus on wins and losses. "I think if they stay focused and try to keep improving with their softball skills through practice and games, they're going to shoot out strong in the end," Hilton said in a phone interview. Kadence Kane, who can play a number of positions, and Collette Brown and Jacquelyn Anderson are all three strong hitters who should help the Golden Eagles manufacture runs. Ferndale is a youthful team with seven underclassmen. "I'm excited about our young players, and I think we are just waiting to see what they can do," Hilton said.

2013 ROSTER

No. Player Yr. Pos.

1 Michelle Olinger Fr. OF/C

2 Renae Mader Sr. 2B

3 Kadence Kane So. OF/SS/C

5 Corrie Wilson Sr. C

6 Sydney Shawler So. 1B/2B

7 Morgan Taxdahl Fr. OF

8 Lauren Maley So. P

9 Collette Brown Jr. 1B/OF

11 Taylor Solomon So. 3B

17 Erika Ebe Fr. P

21 Jacquelyn Anderson Sr. 1B/OF

22 Scarlett Nyenhuis So. P/OF/3B

2013 SCHEDULE

March 11 at Burlington-Edison 4 p.m.

March 12 Everett 4 p.m.

March 14 Lynden 4 p.m.

March 18 Sedro-Woolley 4 p.m.

March 20 at Oak Harbor 4 p.m.

March 21 Anacortes* 4 p.m.

March 23 at Meridian 1 p.m.

March 26 at Mount Baker* 4:30 p.m.

March 29 Burlington-Edison* 4 p.m.

April 2 at Squalicum 4 p.m.

April 9 at Sedro-Woolley (Janicki)* 4:30 p.m.

April 11 Sehome* 4 p.m.

April 15 at Blaine (Pipeline)* 4:30 p.m.

April 19 Nooksack Valley* 4 p.m.

April 23 at Lynden Christian (Bender)* 4:30 p.m.

April 24 Oak Harbor 4 p.m.

April 26 Meridian* 4 p.m.

April 30 at Squalicum* 4 p.m.

May 7 at Lynden* 4 p.m.

May 8 Bellingham* 4 p.m.

*NWC game

Reach ANDREW LANG at andrew.lang@bellinghamherald.com or call ext. 862.