PREP SOFTBALL PREVIEW: Lynden Lions | Bellingham Herald

LYNDEN

Lions

Coach: Steve Petersen

Last year: Finished the year 18-9 overall and 8-4 in Northwest Conference play. ... Split the four games of the district playoffs, which was good enough to get into state, where the Lions went 4-1, enough for a third-place Class 2A State Tournament finish.

Players to watch: Tanna Benson (Sr., P/IF), Hannah Rothwell (Sr., P/OF), Mandy Warner (Sr., C)

Outlook: The Lions only graduated two players off a third-place state squad and appear poised to make another run at the Class 2A title. Back for Lynden is seniors Tanna Benson, Hannah Rothwell and Mandy Warner, who will be looking to take the leadership role that was vacated by graduated Trisha Snydar. “They’ve been starters for us these three years,” coach Steve Petersen said. “They’re polished and have a high committment level and lots of spirit.” Benson and Rothwell will both share time in the circle, where both have found previous success and Warner will be there guiding them behind the plate. If all goes right for the Lions, they’ll be back where they were last year. “We hope to do the same thing we did last year — be competitive from day one and hopefully be playing our best ball in May.”