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Three former Genoa Comets — infielder Jolynn Brossia, pitcher Aerica Susor, and infielder Lydia Eckel are all returning sophomores for the Owens Community College softball team.
Susor compiled a 6-3 record and a 2.57 earned run average last year. Eckel, a sophomore infielder, collected 25 hits, 10 doubles and 27 RBIs for the Express last year.
Joining them is first-year infielder Matea Rice (Clay), pitcher Elizabeth Weber (Oak Harbor); infielder Annie DeTray (Oak Harbor); and outfielder Courtney Mowery (Genoa).
Owens opened its home season against Muskegon Community College on March 19.
The Owens program is guided by seventh-year coach Duane Lanham. His assistants are Michael Murphy and Kevin Snyder.
The Express completed the 2009 season with a 34-10 overall record and captured its seventh Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (11-4 record) title in the program’s history. Owens has won four out of the last five OCCAC regular season championships (2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009). The Express lost to Lansing Community College in the NJCAA Region XII Championships.
Owens began its season on the road with games in Florida as part of the program’s annual spring break trip. The Express’ current overall record is 1-5.
“I am extremely optimistic about the upcoming season,” said Lanham.
“We have great veteran leadership and a very talented group of first-
year players. I expect our depth in pitching, strong defense and continued improvement in our hitting to play key roles in a successful season. This team has the ability and talent to defend our OCCAC conference title and advance beyond the regional tournament.”
Owens has a total of nine players returning from last year’s championship team, including Allison Braun (Celina) and Chelsea Lingenfelter (Lima Shawnee).
In 2009, Braun, a sophomore infielder, was named First Team OCCAC All-Conference and the team’s Offensive Player of the Year. She led the team with 13 homeruns, which is a new school record. Braun also collected 34 hits, scored 28 runs, had 38 RBIs and compiled a .315 batting average. Lingenfelter is a sophomore pitcher. She compiled an 8-3 record and a 1.48 earned run average.
Lanham’s squad also returns Christine Zappone (Springfield), Zappone, a sophomore infielder, scored 16 runs, had 15 RBIs and compiled a .286 batting average
Other returning sophomores include catcher Haley Whitcomb (Perkins); catcher Magan Gerding of (Northview); and outfielder Heather Whitcomb (Perkins).
First-year players are outfielder Kelley Molloy (Whitmer); outfielder Ashleigh Whitacre (Central Catholic); infielder Lindsey Bandeen (Springfield); catcher Bridget Wolfe (Bellevue); outfielder Brittney Guerrero (Bowsher); and infielder Kaela Alexander (Springfield), pitcher Keri Seel (Fostoria); catcher Shelby Schuster (Southview); pitcher Courtney Parr (Margaretta); and outfielder Morgan Gray (Clyde);
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