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If anyone on the Clay softball team has any doubts that the Eagles expect to win their fifth Toledo City League title in the last six years, think again.
“We have high expectations,” Coach Brenda Radabaugh said, “and they know that.”
Despite an 0-3 start through April 3, Waite coach Kevin Boisselle remains upbeat.
“We're pretty young,” he said. “We have three second-year ballplayers, but they're good athletes. Defensively this is one of the best teams I've coached at Waite. We need to work on our hitting; hitting it more solid. We're getting contact; we're just not getting it solid. We're hitting it right at the defense.”
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Clay senior Cassi Laberdee. (Press photo by
Harold Hamilton/HEHPhotos.lifepics.com)
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Clay freshman Brooke Gallaher.
(Press photo by Harold Hamilton/
HEHPhotos.lifepics.com) |
The Indians' losses were to Fremont Ross and to Cardinal Stritch in a doubleheader last Saturday.
“We didn't hit against Fremont Ross,” Boisselle said. “They just pounded the ball. They had always played small ball, and I prepared for small ball and they hit me with the long ball. We had Stritch 2-0 going into the second inning and one bad play changed the momentum and they beat us 7-2. I think we should finish .500 on the year.”
A good start to the 2011 season hasn't gone unnoticed by Stritch coach Don Zbierajewski.
“We usually lose our first two or three games and get hot after that,” he said. “They've stepped it up so far this year and I hope they keep their focus and remember what got them this far.”
The Cardinals, behind the hot hitting of senior center fielder Amanda Sinay, lost their season opener to Maumee but bounced back to beat Oak Harbor and sweep a doubleheader against Waite.
Sinay went 7-for-8 at the plate against Waite and Ross and is hitting at a .700 clip this season. She batted over .500 last year and led the team in stolen bases and runs scored while earning first-team All-TAAC honors for the second consecutive year.
“She gets on base and she's fast,” Zbierajewski said. “In the outfield, she can run down just about anything. She takes a little bit of pressure off our corner outfielders because she can get to gaps they may not get to.”
The Cardinals finished second in the TAAC last year to Ottawa Hills, and Zbierajewski said the Green Bears are the favorites again this season.
“I would like to see us get the TAAC championship back,” he said. “We also talk all the time about how we would like to start going a little further in the tournament than we did the last several years. I'd like to at least get into the district this year.”
Northwood coach Dan Fuller may have something to say about that. Fuller doesn't see the Rangers' season-opening loss to Rossford as a harbinger of things to come.
Northwood suffered a 9-1 loss to the Bulldogs after giving up eight unearned runs. Rossford scored all nine runs with two outs.
“If our pitching holds up, which I think it will, we've got a good chance,” Fuller said. “The kids are more mature and our defense is going to be OK. Our problem the last few years has been consistent hitting. We have to get more consistent hitting the ball. If we do that, we'll be in pretty good shape.”
CLAY
Coach: Brenda Radabaugh, 11th year
Last year: 24-5 (12-0, TCL)
Returning letterwinners: Danielle Holmes, Sr., OF/SS; Cassi Laberdee, Sr., P/1B; Kim Scharff, Sr., SS; Miranda Cortez, Sr., Utility; Ashley Cousino, Sr., OF; Kim Crawford, Jr., CF; Brooke Thompson, Jr., 3B
Forecast: The Eagles, who opened the season with a 13-5 win over Findlay on March 29, must replace four senior starters including their catcher, shortstop, second baseman and CL Pitcher of the Year Kasey Graham.
Graham, who went 15-3 while leading Clay to the league title, is now pitching at Owens. Her replacement consists of three hurlers – senior Cassi Laberdee, a second-team all-league performer last year, junior Haley Kuhlman and freshman Brooke Gallaher.
“They all have a variety of speeds,” Radabaugh said. “They're all good enough to be on varsity. Brooke probably has the most movement on the ball. Cassi is the only one returning with experience, so we will rely on her for leadership on the mound. The other two are both capable pitchers.”
They will pitch to either Abbey Herrera, a junior, or sophomore Emily Novak. Sarah Stibaner a three-year starting catcher, is now playing at the University of Toledo.
“Abbey and Emily both caught some in our Findlay game,” Radabaugh said. “They have similar arm strength, but one has more confidence than the other right now. One is better at blocking balls, one is better at throwing.”
Second baseman Eryn Simon, who hit .425 last year and earned first-team All-Ohio honors, will be replaced by Lindsay Schiavone. Simon is now playing at Walsh University.
“Lindsay is solid,” Radabaugh said. “She's small but quick, and she's tougher than she looks. She's getting the job done.”
Senior Kim Scharff starts at shortstop for the graduated Hallie Thompson, a second-team all-league performer who is now playing at Owens.
“Kim has a very strong arm,” Radabaugh said. “She played first base the last few years, so she is making an adjustment to the left side of the field.”
Leadoff batter Kim Crawford, a left-hander, returns to center field as a three-year starter. Crawford hit .500 last year and was a second-team All-Ohio pick.
“She's lightning fast and she can slap and she can drag (hit),” Radabaugh said. “She hit the ball over the center fielder's head against Findlay for a triple. She's skinny and little, so a lot of times people underestimate her.”
Junior Brooke Thompson, an honorable mention all-league pick, returns at third base, while senior Miranda Cortez will play multiple positions.
Radabaugh is confident that Clay will have another strong season.
“We're working hard on defense,” she said. “I think this team is stronger batting from top to bottom than last year's team. We had some good hitters but we had some strong points and weak points. This year I think we're stronger from top to bottom.”
WAITE
Coach: Kevin Boisselle, second year
Last year: 8-13 (5-4, TCL)
Returning letterwinners: Chelsea Smith, Sr., C; Jenna Spencer, Sr., 3B; Kelsey Kaweski, Sr., P; Courtney Smith, Jr., 1B; Amira Najjar, Sr., CF; Sam Smenner, Sr., RF; Elica Garces, Jr., P; Hayley Schwartz, Jr., P
Forecast: Senior Chelsea Smith returns behind the plate after earning second-team All-CL honors last season.
“We're hoping to get her first-team All-City this year,” Boisselle said. “She is one of the leaders on the team. We're trying to get her to throw from her knees to be a little quicker throwing out runners at first and third. She was one of the better catchers in the City last year.”
Waite's pitching staff consists of senior Kelsey Kaweski and juniors Elica Garces and Hayley Schwartz.
“Hayley has a little bit of everything, but we're working on her stamina,” Boisselle said. “She throws the best changeup and she uses it more in her arsenal than the other two. Kelsey has a good fastball and she has a natural drop. Elica can hit her target. She doesn't have a lot of speed, but she can hit the placements we ask her to hit.”
Two players who should make an impact this season are junior second baseman Lauren Miller and senior third baseman Jenna Spencer. Miller, who moved up to the varsity halfway through last season, will play for the Addidas national tournament team in Utah in July.
“There are kids on there from Michigan, New York, Alabama, Ohio, so it's a pretty big accomplishment for her,” Boisselle said. “She's a go-getter. She goes 110 percent all the time, even in warmups.”
Boisselle, who coached the Indians' junior varsity team for nine years, said Spencer is the best third baseman he's had at Waite.
“Jenna is very solid,” he said. “We went to a new defensive scheme this year and it seems to be working better for her. She used to sit back and wait on the ball, and this year we're moving forward on the pitches. We're playing the angles more than we have.”
CARDINAL STRITCH
Coach: Don Zbierajewski, second year
Last year: 11-16 (5-3, TAAC)
Returning letterwinners: Amanda Sinay, Sr., CF; Marissa Zaborski, Sr., 1B; Alyssa Wlodarz, Sr., Utility; Sara Inderrieden, Sr., 3B/P; Rachel Esposito, Sr., LF; Emily Lorton, Jr., 2B; Katie Turski, Jr., P; Melissa Cobb, Jr., SS/RF; Alex Veres, So., C; Ally Niehaus, Jr., 1B/DP
Forecast: Stritch graduated one starter from last season, first-team all-conference shortstop Brianna Wlodarz. Her spot is being filled by senior Alyssa Wlodarz, Brianna's sister, and junior Melissa Cobb.
“They haven't looked bad,” Zbierajewski said. “We have work to do, but we're getting there.”
Junior second baseman Emily Lorton returns after earning second-team All-TAAC honors last year, as do junior pitcher Katie Turski and sophomore catcher Alex Veres.
“Emily is pretty quick,” Zbierajewski said. “I bat Amanda leadoff and Emily second, so we've got a pretty good chance of starting out the first inning with a couple runners on already. Alex came in last year as a freshman and started right away. She's really improved this year, so much to the point I put her behind the plate and she calls the game. I don't have to worry about it.”
Turski, who went 8-11 on the mound last year, is 2-1 this season
“She seems to be throwing the ball a little harder than last year, plus she's got a lot better location,” Zbierajewski said. “She's hitting spots and actually pitching.”
Senior third baseman Sara Inderrieden will also pitch this season. She is already 1-0.
“A lot of teams will have a No. 1 and No. 2 pitcher,” Zbierajewski said. “With us, it's 1A and 1B. Sara could be a No. 1 at a lot of other schools, and she does a nice job at third base.”
Senior Marissa Zaborski, who missed a lot of time last year because of a thumb injury, returns at first base.
“Her defense is so good, you noticed the difference when she's not out there,” Zbierajewski said. “She's probably been one of the best defensive first basemen I've been associated with at Stritch.”
NORTHWOOD
Coach: Dan Fuller, 15th year
Last year: 8-15 (3-5, TAAC)
Returning letterwinners: Sammie Brisbin, Sr., 3B; Jordan Edwards, Jr., P; Cindy Szyperski, Jr., C/OF; Heather Derr, Jr., P/C/OF; Becca Gwin, Jr., SS/OF; Taylor Purtee, Jr., OF/SS; Allison Burch, Jr., 1B
Forecast: Jordan Edwards returns on the mound after earning second-team All-TAAC honors as a sophomore last season.
“Jordan is deceptively fast and she has a nice changeup and a dropball,” Fuller said. “She improved from her freshman year to her sophomore year quite a bit. If she makes that same improvement, we have a chance to be a pretty decent ball club this year. The talent we have back, we have pretty good ballplayers.”
Northwood's top returning hitter is senior Sammie Brisbin, who has started at third base since midway through her freshman year. Brisbin, a first-team all-conference selection as a sophomore and junior, batted .381 last season with 18 runs and 21 RBI.
“She's been a very consistent hitter,” Fuller said. “She's a singles hitter and she can drive the ball a little bit, and she can bunt the ball. She can basically do it all.”
Junior first baseman Allison Burch, who hit .340 last season, was a second-team all-conference pick a year ago.
“Allison is one of those kids who's never seen a pitch she doesn't like,” Fuller said. “She's probably our most aggressive hitter and our power hitter. When she hits the ball, she hits the ball. She hits it hard.”
The Rangers return two honorable mention All-TAAC players in junior utility player Heather Derr and junior catcher/outfielder Cindy Szyperski. Derr hit .348 last season while Szyperski batted .310.
“Heather is a good, solid hitter,” Fuller said. “She doesn't have a whole lot of power, but she puts the ball in play. She doesn't strike out a whole lot. Cindy has good power and hits to all fields. She's our leadoff hitter and she runs very, very well.”
HEH-ClaySB1
Clay senior Cassi Laberdee. (Press photo by Harold Hamilton/HEHPhotos.lifepics.com)
HEH-ClaySB2
Clay freshman Brooke Gallaher. (Press photo by Harold Hamilton/HEHPhotos.lifepics.com)
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