Softball preview: Lady Longhorns have the look of a playoff team

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Softball preview: Lady Longhorns have the look of a playoff team

Sports

Friday, 12 February 2010 10:01

By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor
For the past several seasons, Harmony and Osceola have dueled for the Orange Belt Conference softball championship. Osceola won last season, but the Lady Longhorns reached the regional finals in 2009 and many of those players are back.
St. Cloud will challenge for the conference and district championship with one of the county’s best pitchers, and Celebration boasts one of the county’s best hurlers, as well.
Harmony
Coach Ralph King is thinking regionals, again, after his team posted a 20-8-1 record last season.
“The team is pretty much intact and I am very impressed with the work that I have seen so far,” he said. “Although we did win district and advanced to the regional final, we were extremely disappointed with our conference performance. That is an important goal that we will look to correct this season.”
First baseman Emily Lanier, the Osceola News-Gazette Player of the Year for 2009, returns after signing a letter of intent to Florida Gulf Coast.
Sophomore pitcher Breann Vanderzyl also returns after an outstanding freshman campaign. She is joined by sophomore Madison Roberts and freshman Lauren Harris to form a solid staff, said King.
Sophomore Taylor Ellis moves to center field and is joined by Beth Newcott, Roberts and Vanderzyl. Harris and freshman Madison Nichols also may see time in the outfield.
Most of the infield returns intact. An opening at second base should be filled by either junior Tiffany Endreson or freshman Brianne Kimura. Senior Christian Brown returns at third base and junior shortstop Brittany Bruns is back.
Junior Payton Dering is behind the plate, with Nichols also available.
Harmony will be favored in 4A District 6 against St. Cloud, Celebration, Poinciana, Eustis, Tavares and Oak Ridge. The Longhorns have won consecutive district championships.
The Longhorns will play at the Kissimmee Klassic and at state champion Dunnellon, the team that beat Harmony in the regionals, for an invitational tournament.
Osceola
Coach George Coffey knows his team can score runs with a bevy of returning all-conference players.
But in a district (5A-5) with state runner-up Lake Wales and other strong Polk County teams, the Kowgirls will have to work hard to earn a playoff spot.
“There’s a lot of new faces this year; it’s a difficult district, no question about it,” Coffey said. “But that’s what makes it exciting.”
Osceola’s infield, with juniors Alexa Ballard (third base) and Carman Nadal (first base), and junior shortstop Nicole Osterman all returning after all-conference seasons, looks solid.
The new face is freshman second baseman Morgan Crapo.
Senior catcher Kaley Crapo, Morgan’s sister, returns.
The outfield is new, with senior Bianca Torres moving from second to center field, and freshmen Jessica Callahan (left field) and Kenya Pereira on the corners.
Senior Haley Wright and junior Sasha Mendez are on the mound, but they have limited varsity experience, Coffey said.
Morgan Crapo and Pereira may earn time on the mound as well, said the coach.
“We’ll be fine defensively and offensively, the question is how quickly will our pitchers develop. We may have to win some games 10-9, but that’s OK,” Coffey said.
The Kowgirls again host the Kissimmee Klassic, one of the nation’s top prep softball tournaments, in April.
St. Cloud
The Lady Bulldogs begin their third season under Coach Mike Gale after a 14-9 campaign in 2009.
Gale believes his team can be better this year. He has confidence in his pitcher for good reason. His daughter, junior Samantha Gale, is one of the top prospects in the state.
“She played with the Tampa Heatwave last summer and won the Fast National championship,” he said. “She’s playing with the South Florida Mini Bulls now and gave up one run in 24 innings at the Ronald McDonald Showcase in Houston.”
The Lady Bulldogs have several more veterans back such as seniors Chelsea Womack, the team captain, and third baseman Amanda Ligon.
Second baseman Nikki Benge, a junior, will have a familiar teammate at shortstop – her sister, freshman Brianna Benge, a travel ball veteran.
Three freshmen man the outfield spots: Brittany Gilbert (left), Kelly Johnson (center) and Brittany Knight (right). Sophomore Ashley Gonzalez will play the outfield, as well.
Junior Jennifer Luquis moves behind the plate.
“Every year we set high goals, and hope to improve on our 14-9 record,” Coach Gale said.
Celebration
Coach Ed Kuzma is comfortable turning the ball over to senior pitcher Jessica Kraus, who holds all of the Storm pitching records.
“Freddy (Kraus) will put us in a position to get 21 outs with less than two runs scored,” Kuzma said. “If our defense only allows 21 outs, we should be in every game.”
The Storm have speed at the top of the batting order in senior center fielder Shelby West and junior third baseman Zuania Rodriguez.
Senior catcher Illeamar Figueroa and junior shortstop Alexus Alcala, with Kraus, provide the mid-lineup firepower.
“The right side of the infield and the corners of the outfield will all have new starters, however, we have a large group of hardworking, eager girls to fill those positions,” Kuzma said. “There will be seven innings of fight from the Storm.”
Gateway
Coach Crystal Kramer begins her second season as the Lady Panthers remain in 6A District 6 against Vero Beach, Palm Bay, Palm Bay Bayside, Port St. Lucie Centennial and Treasure Coast.
Back for the Panthers are Aida Piedra, Bethany Rochell and Shayna White, who were all-Orange Belt Conference selections.
Pitchers Alejandra Abreu and Elisha Castro also return.
Also on the roster are Nilda Perpina, Thaila Acevedo, Kathleen Castro and Joann Sulzana.
“We’re working hard at practice getting our team where we need to be to make some noise this year,” Kramer said.
Poinciana
New Coach Troy Herrera will tackle the 4A-6 schedule with two seniors, Danielle Akkerman and Katie King.
Also on the roster are
Jessica Lella, Alexes Duran, Tamara Cruz, Ana Bermudez, Francheska Santillman, Ashley Otero, Genesis Rodriguez, Hannah Fladger, Gerixa Cabrera, Taylor Barnes, Karen Hernandez, Tyana Barnett, Francis Cintron, Kelian Gonzalez, Diane Arroyo and Candy Santiago.
The manager is Matthew Ramey.
Liberty
Coach Tim Burdette will guide his team through 5A District 5 with a roster that includes returning pitcher and captain Natalie Gilenoon.
Also returning are captains Crystal Valdez and Nelly Otero.