The Pioneer softball team entered the 2007-08 school year having to absorb the loss of a head coach, all three of 2007's starting pitchers, and four starting position players. The rebuilding began with the announcement that Juli Fulks, the Pioneer head women's basketball coach, would take over the softball program. Assisted by Head Women's Volleyball coach Lori Jepsen, the two brought structure and a wealth of softball coaching experience to a young team.

The Pioneers got another good piece of news in the fall when 2006 Lewis & Clark graduate Nathalie Matson (grad, Astoria, Ore.) announced that she would be using her final year of eligibility to add depth to the Pioneers' young pitching staff. Matson, who led the team in either wins or ERA in each of her three seasons on the active roster, had sat out the 2005 season with an injury. As a graduate student pursuing her Master's degree in Psychology at Lewis & Clark, she was eligible to pitch one more season for the Pioneers. Matson made the most of the opportuntiy, making 25 appearances on the season and once again leading the Pioneers in earned run average. She also hit the only home run of her career, a solo shot against Pacific.

The young Pioneer team's young infield showed great promise for the futue. Short stop Jamie Moon (sophomore, Baker City, Ore.), with her good reflexes and rocket arm, anchored the Pioneer defense. Michaela Satter (freshman, Mckinleyville, Calif.), another talented newcomer, showed great versatility, effortlessly playing whichever infield position she was asked to cover.

Veteran Laura Parker (junior, Healdsburg, Calif.) had a breakout season at the plate, leading the Pioneers in batting for much of the season. She led the team in hits and tied with outfielder Jessica Mullins (sophomore, Randle, Wash.) for the RBI lead.

The Pioneers had two mid-season additions to the roster that helped round out the team. Outfielder Kim Kittell (sophomore, Tillamook, Ore.) gave the Pioneers a consistent leadoff hitter with great speed on the basepath. Kelly Vega (sophomore, Beaverton, Ore.) joined the team as a pitcher. As the season progressed and Vega got more experienced, her command of the strike zone improved, helping her to lead the team to a pair of victories.

The Pioneers had a much stronger second half of their season than the first. The Pioneers scored 30 more runs, had 27 more RBI, and logged 58 more hits in the second half. Every starter raised her batting average and 11 total players ended the season with stronger numbers at the plate in the latter half of the season.

Click here to find archived individual game recaps and other news stories from the 2008 season.