Riverton: W's begin with 'We'

RIVERTON — As the Riverton softball team began their workouts this spring, they didn't crash the weights or hit the track. Instead, they spent a little "we" time together bonding and such.

"This team is so united," said Riverton coach Emily Cederholm after the Silverwolves earned an exciting 1-0 win against second-ranked Taylorsville. "Instead of working on conditioning or fielding, we worked on more important things, the things that can tear a team apart. We worked on the mental side of things and it's made a huge difference."

The Silverwolves have just three starting seniors, but many of the juniors have been starting since they were freshmen. They are used to the pressure that comes with varsity play and they're now familiar with Cederholm's program, which is in its third year.

"It takes a while to get used to a coach and what they expect of you," she said. "The maturity is there now, where as in the past, we've had to work through some things as a team."

The Silverwolves showed patience and the ability to handle pressure in Thursday's win over the Warriors. Centerfielder Dani Grant fielded a long fly ball and then threw the ball to the infield where catcher Brooke Olson caught it and tagged out Taylorsville's Tia Paulani. It was the inning's third out in what would turn out to be the Warriors' best chance at scoring in the game.

"(Grant) played it perfectly," said Taylorsville coach Rich Kaelin. "That took away a hit and two runs."

The Silverwolves then scored when Amanda McAdams hit a single to get on base, stole second and then scored on pitcher Symbree Minniear's single to right center.

"I think the expectations are higher, but they don't feel so much pressure," said Cederholm. "This whole year is different."

Both teams played well, and Kaelin said he's still using the preseason to figure out which players will be best at each position.

"I'm just waiting for that game when we come and explode," he said.

---

E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com