By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

TURNER, Ore.–  Cascade Head Softball Coach Marty Jeppsen spoke highly of his pitcher Tuesday afternoon during the High School lunch break during Hannah Walliman’s signing ceremony.

Walliman, who signed a Letter of Intent to play at Chemeketa Community College next school year during the lunch break ceremony, was the workhorse for the Cougars during the six-week short-season.  Helping Cascade to a 12-6 record, reaching the 4A Showcase Postseason before falling to Mazama 6-4 in the fourth-place game.

“Last year she grew a ton because she was basically the only starting pitcher that we had.  We had two girls that backed her up, ex-pitchers, that were pitching by default.  So Hannah threw multiple complete games for us last year and you were able to see her confidence growing with every game,” Jeppsen said of Walliman. 

“She led us to the fourth-place game in the 4A Showcase, we came up a little short but she was tremendous for us last year and we’re looking for big things this year too.”

Walliman stepped into that starting pitcher role turned tournament softball season with the Oregon Rebels, but knew the experience entering her senior season pitching will help her in preparation for what is to come.

“I think I need to work on my body language in the field to make sure you can’t really read me, but I think I did quite well stepping into the role last High School season,” Walliman said of last Spring.  

Going through a few tournaments this past off-season with the Rebels, with the ups-and-downs has helped Walliman work through that non-verbal aspect of her game as well as the physical aspect of the game in the circle.

Jeppsen spoke to Walliman’s work ethic in wanting to do more.  Coming to all the voluntary workouts, pointing to a recent workout in which Walliman came back from a travel softball tournament at 3am and was at the work-out that afternoon.

“We started last week with our pitcher/catcher workouts and she was coming off of a tournament in Reno.  She got home at 3am and we had practice that afternoon and she showed up tired, but she was one of the hardest workers there.  That tells you who she is,” Jeppsen said.

Cascade opens the season at home against Marist Catholic on March 17 before heading to Redmond March 21 and 22 for the Redmond Tournament, Walliman will be leaned upon to lead the Cougs once more as she looks to build some momentum for the College-level next year.

“It’s great because I know that I haven’t reached my full potential yet and I think going to Chemeketa will help push me even farther in being a better player.  I’m definitely excited knowing that there is a lot more in store over there,” Walliman said..

Photos By Jeremy McDonald