The softball season returns for Scotts Valley High, and the Falcons are ready to fly back on the diamond in 2024.
At the helm is second-year coach Jeremy Wilson, who believes this can be the year to bring home a Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League championship for the first time since 2016.
“I am very excited for this year’s team, I believe we have the depth and talent to compete with any team in our league,” Wilson said.
This year’s young Falcons squad will carry a hefty roster of 17 with just three returning seniors in the Eagle sisters—Ava and Ellen—and Sofia Grigg.
“This team’s chemistry has been really strong, most of us have known each other for a long time, so we connected really fast,” Ava Eagle said.
Wilson echoed Eagle by noting that one of their current biggest strengths is team chemistry. The longtime skipper has coached several of the players since they competed on 10U club teams, which has essentially made them a family.
“This team is going to be fun to watch… we have the pitching, we got the bats and we got the gloves,” Wilson said.
Another key returner for the Falcons is sophomore pitcher Jazzy Phillips, who was one of the main arms in the circle in 2023. Wilson said his star hurler will get some well-deserved backup this season.
Scotts Valley is expected to have four pitchers, including freshmen Chloe Kent and Lorelei Warner along with junior Sofia Seese—a big transfer from Soquel High who is committed to compete at Georgia State University in 2026.
“[Seese] will make a big impact to our rotation to add with Jazzy Phillips,” Wilson said.
Other key players to watch for are Taylor Wilson, Gracie Dalgado and Jazzy Doubek.
Scotts Valley will compete against familiar foes in Aptos, Harbor, Soquel, San Lorenzo Valley and Santa Cruz for a shot at the SCCAL crown.
The Falcons begin league play March 14 at Aptos, which is one of the favorites to win a league title. First pitch is slated for 4:30pm.
“I believe this team has the talent to compete and even win our league. We want to make a run in CCS, we just have to stay focused on our goals,” Eagle said.
The Falcons’ season has been on a brief pause due to recent storms and bad field conditions, including this past weekend’s cancellation of the Watsonville Tournament at Watsonville High School.
In the meantime, Wilson said they are doing what they can to stay ready for games.
“It’s been bad, but we are doing what we can to get work in, whether that’s in the gym or in the classroom, we are getting better,” Wilson said.
Scotts Valley is scheduled to start the regular season by hosting Carmel High in non-league action March 8 with first pitch slated for 3:30pm.
