Harmony, Osceola are conference favorites

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Harmony, Osceola are conference favorites

Sports

Friday, 25 February 2011 13:18

News-Gazette Photo/Andrew Sullivan

Harmony shortstop Brittany Bruns returns for her senior season to help the Longhorns challenge for their fifth consecutive regional playoff berth.

By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor
Local softball heavyweights Osceola and Harmony are favorites in the Orange Belt Conference race. Both teams should be factors in their respective districts, as well. St. Cloud has one of the best pitchers in the county and should challenge for conference and district titles.
Harmony
The Lady Longhorns seek their fifth consecutive regional playoff berth with a young and talented lineup.
Coach Ralph King saw several stalwarts graduate last year, including first baseman Emily Lanier and third baseman Christina Brown. The team also lost another starter, outfielder Taylor Ellis, who moved out of state.
But, junior pitcher Breann Vanderzyl, a co-Player of the Year last season, is back along with senior shortstop Brittany Bruns, who recently signed with Chipola College, and senior catcher Payton Dering.
Also returning is sophomore Lauren Harris, one of the county’s top power hitters (four home runs last season). Harris, who pitches, can play the infield or outfield.
King is optimistic about a solid group of underclassmen, like sophomore first baseman Kaitlyn Burroughs and third baseman Jodi Nestle.
Sophomore Brianne Kimura and freshman Molly Baker will split time at second, King said, while Madison Nichols and Beth Newcott will see time in the outfield along with freshman Savannah Austin.
King considers the battery a strong point of the team, with Vanderzyl and Harris among the county’s top pitchers. Baker will also see time in the circle.
Dering is one of the county’s most consistent catchers, with Nichols also available.
“We are missing some familiar faces, but we also have a strong core remaining,” King said. “The middle of the batting order will be solid. We still expect to compete for the conference and district championship, like we have in the past, as well as continue the streak of consecutive appearances in the regional playoffs.”
The Lady Longhorns, 6-2, scored in the ninth inning to edge Tavares, 1-0, Thursday to remain unbeaten (4-0) in District 4A-6. Harmony has won six in a row, five by shutout. Vanderzyl earned the win Thursday and Harris doubled home Kimura for the winning run.
The JV team is unbeaten after beating St. Cloud, 8-2. Molly Baker earned the win. Sophomore Chelsea Haupt had three RBIs and freshman Brianna Kuzara homered.
Osceola
The Lady Kowboys again tangle with several Polk County teams in 5A District 5 under Coach George Coffey.
Osceola will bring one of its most experienced and talented teams of recent seasons to the field.
Three of the team’s four infielders have signed college grants: third baseman Lexi Ballard (Florida Atlantic), shortstop Nicole Osterman (Miami-Dade) and first baseman Carmen Nadal (Miami-Dade) all return after excellent junior seasons.
“We’re ready to go,” Coffey, in his 18th season as OHS head coach, said.
Osceola faces Lake Wales, Haines City, Ridge Community, Sebring, Winter Haven and local rival Liberty in district play.
“Haines City brings back just about everyone. They’ll be solid,” Coffey said. “But, we have so many experienced and mature players able to play well. We’ll be there.”
Ballard, the co-Player of the Year last season, hit .544 and drove in 21 runs and Osterman batted .475 with 18 RBIs. Nadal hit .400 and drove in 13 runs.
Senior Sasha Mendez returns to pitch along with sophomore Kenya Pereira.
Others who will contribute are senior Allyson Clancy, junior Kaley Brosious, sophomores Morgan Crapo and Jessica Callahan and freshmen Aisya Dennis and Chantal Crockett.
In addition to a rugged district schedule, the Lady Kowboys will host the Kissimmee Klassic tournament in late March, one of the premier prep softball tournaments in the Southeast.
The Lady Kowboys are off to a 5-1 start, which includes a 5A-5 victory over Haines City. OHS is 2-1 in the district.
St. Cloud
The Lady Bulldogs send one of the county’s most talented pitchers to the mound in senior Sam Gale, who signed a scholarship to Florida Southern College in November.
Coach Mike Gale, the pitcher’s father, said his team will have to play well to earn a playoff berth in a district that includes softball heavyweights Harmony, Eustis and Tavares.
“The girls have worked hard in the off season and hopefully that will translate into some exciting softball this spring,” Gale said.
Sophomore Lacey Makinson will work behind the plate. Senior Niki Benge returns at second base and joins her sister, sophomore shortstop Breanna Benge, in the middle infield. Senior Jennifer Luquis plays third and junior Ashley Gonzalez is at first base.
The outfielders are junior Madison Roberts and freshmen Ka’Deisha McCowan and Emily Blackmore.
Sophomores Brittany Gil-bert and Kelly Johnson add versatility to the roster.
Gale opened the season strong by throwing a no-hitter in a 12-0 win over Liberty. McCowan had four RBIs.
Gateway
Coach Rachel Kilbert will guide her team against 6A District 6 foes this season.
Her top players include Selena Torres, a freshman who brings knowledge, leadership and solid offensive and defensive skills, she said, and Kathleen Castro, who Kilbert calls a workhorse of the defense.
Other key players include infielder Lynn Garcia, a third baseman with good hitting skills, said the coach, and senior pitchers Alejandra Abreu and Eleisha Castro.
Celebration
Coach Ed Kuzma is excited about a young roster that he expects to compete well in 4A District 6.
Freshman Maddie White will pitch for the Storm this season, Kuzma said.
White may, in time, be as effective as former Storm ace Jessica Kraus, the county’s all-time strikeout leader,he said.
“She is young, but she has tools, on the mound and at bat,” he said.
Another talented freshman entering the program is Sarah Stellwag, who can play all infield positions.
Returning is sophomore leadoff hitter Kylie Jansing and a pair of seniors, Zuania Rodriguez and Alexus Alcala. Senior Brie Stewart and sophomore Peyton Lambke will play the outfield, Kuzma said.
Kuzma sees improvement thanks to dedication and a strong coaching staff.
“The cumulative sum of talent is higher than it has been in the past, and the work ethic is higher as well,” he said. “We will be greatly improved on the bases. I have a starting nine and a deep bench of young ladies willing to execute on the field and on the bases and win close games that we have dropped in the past.”
Poinciana
Coach Lauren Valle begins her first season with the Lady Eagles softball team, which will compete in 4A District 6.
Poinciana pitcher Tamara Cruz will return.
“We will be young and rebuilding this season,” Valle said. “We will look to Tamara for her leadership on the mound and off the field.”
Liberty
Liberty Coach Tim Burdette will lead his team into 5A-5 competition with a roster that includes starting pitcher Samantha Sviridoff.
Returning seniors include Nelly Otero, Monika Reyes, Mariah Abreu, Samantha Tejada, Crystal Valdez and Yaritza Tejada.
Also on the roster are Damarus Urena, Dalia Villafane, Villarea Villafane, Abby Morero, Franchesca Santillane, Shanice Smith and Kassandra Tabres.