Photos by Terry MillsPhoto above is Varsity softball team. Photo below is junior varsity softball team. The 2009 Tonasket High School Varsity and Junior Varsity Softball teams are, in alphabetical order: Guadalupe Alvarez, Maribella Alvarez, Jerian Ashley

TONASKET – The 2009 Tonasket High School softball team is looking to make a fresh start this season.

In his first year as head coach, Tim Cork, assisted by Michelle Jane, says his coaching style is to work hard and play hard.

He said this season there are ten full time varsity players with a couple of junior varsity swingers, which is a large turnout for softball.

“The team is experienced because a lot of girls have played before,” Cork said.

The team has five returning seniors: Cierra Silverthorn, Anna Bergh, Megan McKinney, Dana Pryor and Kelli Vanatta.

Cork said since he wasn’t the head coach last season, he’s not sure if any players did exceptionally well, but that the team needs to get better and is working hard to do so. He added that he has no predictions for how the team will do this season.

“I hope we can compete every inning, of every game,” Cork said. “If we can do that, I will be pleased. This is a fresh start for me and them.”

Cork said the team needs to throw strikes and avoid the big inning. He added that they also need to put the ball in play and put pressure on opposing defenses.