UPPER LAKE >> The Upper Lake Cougars are under new management in 2018 and first-year head coach Nick Williamson hopes to restore the flagging fortunes of the school’s softball program in the coming seasons.
Just how much Upper Lake can improve from last season’s 7-13 record remains to be seen, but Williamson will being the reconstruction progress this year, starting with building up a defense that has let the team all too often in the past. While the Cougars did post a winning record in 2015 under former coach Kelly Coburn, the team has underachieved for the better part of a decade and has struggled with attracting some of the school’s better athletes. Only time will tell whether or not Williamson can change the losing culture currently associated with the sport at the Northshore school.
The Cougars opened practice Feb. 5 and make their season debut Friday at home against Esparto at 3:30 p.m. They hit the road March 7 to play Geyserville and return home March 9 for a doubleheader against Laytonville.
Upper Lake opens North Central League II play April 12 at home against St. Vincent.
