Keep an eye on Davenport, Jefferson this year

This spring, however, the Wildcats will be the hunted.
The Daily Star Online
Star photo by Anita Briggs Senior pitcher Amie Ballo should keep Andes in the thick of the race for the Delaware Mountain Division title this season.

Following a 15-4 season highlighted by a 5-1 crossover defeat of South Kortright, Davenport is back with a whole new infield and must deal with the loss of senior catcher Brittany Westcott.

"That was a big hit to Nicole (Frank) mentally as well," ninth-year Davenport coach Cheryl Butler said of her starting pitcher, who struck out seven Rams as the Wildcats won their first DL title since the mid-1980s last year. "It’s just another obstacle for her this year, along with having a very young team behind her."

Sophomore Lauren Rider replaces Westcott, who suffered a basketball season-ending knee injury in November.

Frank had fewer than 10 walks last season, but the new battery may take some time to find its comfort zone. Davenport opened 2007 with a 10-5 loss to Jefferson on April 2. Although Frank struck out six and walked none, the Jayhawks scored eight runs in their last three at-bats and finished with 12 hits.

Davenport’s offense could be led by freshman shortstop Samantha Meyerhoff, a soccer and basketball standout who took last spring off to play AAU basketball.

"She’ll come around and she can figure things out pretty well," Butler said of Meyerhoff, who tripled in a 2-for-4 effort against Jefferson. Davenport started three freshmen and one seventh-grader in the opener. "Issues with her will come defensively. It’s hard to learn the game in 10 or 15 games, but she’s very smart."[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Senior Melissa Lare, another key to Davenport’s offense, offers versatility on defense as she is able to play every other infield position.

"Her assets are in the (batter’s) box," said Butler, whose team lost, 3-0, in a 2006 Class D sectional semifinal against perennial power Afton. "She’s a strong, smart hitter. She knows when she can swing away and when she can make contact."

Hunter-Tannersville finished 10-4 last season, including an 8-2 Upper Division record to finish a game behind Davenport. H-T returns seniors Paige Plattner (third base), Nikki Friedman (pitcher) and Haley Leach (center field). Friedman threw a one-hitter in H-T’s 12-4 season-opening win against Stamford on April 2 with the help of third-year starting catcher Catherine Romito. Leach and first-year starter Kristin Spychalsky are the top outfielders. Sophomores Shelby France and Kirsten Davis will play in the infield, and Devin Friedman will double as an outfielder and Romito’s backup.

Graduation hit Margaretville hard as the Blue Devils lost their starting battery in pitcher Jen McMurray and catcher Chelsea West. Outfielder Claire Cella, first baseman Erica Hubbell and second baseman Katie Galatioto also completed their senior years in 2006.

Senior Caitlin Sanford took over for McMurray and suffered a 20-7 season-opening loss to Downsville on April 3. Sanford gave up 14 runs in five innings. Fellow seniors Kirstie Sanford (third base), Jodi Mathis (shortstop), Stephanie Williamson (first base/outfield) and Ann Sylvester (outfield) also return, along with junior outfielder Natalie Shaffer.

Newcomer Shannon McGovern, a sophomore, sparked Windham with a 3-for-3 effort in a 16-14 loss to Gilboa on April 3. McGovern tripled and doubled for the Warriors, who went 2-12 last season and opened 2007 with a 9-0 loss to Downsville. Catcher Roxanne Madden hit .429 to pace Windham’s offense last spring.

Stamford, which went 0-11 last spring (0-8 in the DL), rounds out the Upper Division. Sophomore Alyssa Melendez will share pitching time with junior Shauna Rockwell, who also plays second. Stacey Connelly will start at third, Marlana Hinkley at shortstop and Emma Stratigos _ the Indians’ batting leader last season _ at first base.

In the Mountain Division, South Kortright looks to regain its swagger from 2005, when the Rams won their last crossover title. Senior shortstop Jessica Cole batted a team-high .530 for last year’s 19-3 team and is one of five seniors. Pitcher Cassie Salcido and catcher Patti Austin, also seniors, both batted better than .500 last season.

Salcido, who struck out 100 batters last season, started 2007 with 10 strikeouts in a one-hitter that gave SK a 3-0 win over Gilboa on April 2.

Austin earned Daily Star First Team All-Star honors after amassing 19 extra base hits in 2006, including two homers. Seniors Amanda Bouton and Angela Zustovich join junior Brittany Pickett in the outfield. Renee Craft (second base), Marcy Sebastian (third base) and Cassie McMullen (first base) round out the infield.

Third-year Downsville coach Jeff Baier has his entire infield back, with junior second baseman Macy Davis (.283 BA, 27 runs, 24 stolen bases) and senior shortstop Kate Hume (.242, 10 RBIs, 16 stolen bases) patrolling the middle.

"The shortstop and second baseman are like the quarterbacks of your team," Baier said. "It will make everybody better."

Sophomore third baseman Allison Townsend batted .297, scored 24 runs and drove in 18 last season. Across the field is first baseman Jennifer Seiferth (.246, 23 runs, 16 RBIs). Pitcher Brittany D’Addezio threw 98 of 110 1/3 innings last year for the Eagles, who finished 10-9 overall.

Theresa Hirsch will back up D’Addezio, and both will throw to freshman catcher Sabra Yancey. Hirsch and Ali Henderson have secured starting roles in the outfield, but Erin McKee, Taylor Stone and Justine Dechow are competing for the final spot.

Starting pitcher Rieley Cammer is looking to provide stability on the mound for Roxbury, which lost its opener, 11-6, to Andes on April 3.

"If we don’t find somebody who can commit to pitching," 25th-year Rockets coach Jane Ware said, "we’re going to have a rough year. ... There are a lot of years when I have kids pitching from September through to the start of the season. I’m gifted to have that. This year, it just didn’t happen."

The Rockets lost roughly 90 percent of their offense and returns experience at two defensive positions. Heather Davie, a ninth-grader who batted .350 last season for the 11-6 Rockets, also will pitch. Senior catcher Allyce Bolger, who hit .327 in 2006, went 2-for-4 with five stolen bases against Andes. She also caught two Mountaineers stealing.

Jefferson, 11-6 in 2006, should be considered a serious threat, if only for its season-opening win over Davenport. Anna Bulka contributed at the plate and on the mound in that game, going 3-for-4 with a home run and striking out eight. She did, however, walk seven and allow six hits with newcomer Katie Bedford, a sophomore, behind the plate.

The Jayhawks have 10 rookies on their 18-player roster, but are led by seniors Bulka, Tara Manley and Kaity Potak, who is back after suffering a leg fracture against Windham last season.

"If we stay focused and work to our potential I think we might surprise some people," coach Andi Cammer said.

Andes (7-8 in 2006) will go as far as pitcher Amie Ballo’s arm will take it. The senior struck out 176 and walked nine last season, en route to Daily Star First Team All-Star honors.

"She is a well-rounded athlete with great enthusiasm for softball," coach Tamara Snyder said of Ballo, who will throw to returning catcher Rachel Andrews. "I am looking for her to become more of a leader this season."

Ballo is a leader at the plate as well, hitting .486 with a .600 on-base percentage last season.

Gilboa looks to improve upon a 2-13 record in 2006. Junior catcher/shortstop Casey Aplin, who led the Wildcats in RBIs and runners caught stealing last season, will key another rebuilding season.

Aplin will catch senior Sarah Briwa. Nadine Gurley returns for her fifth season and will see time in the infield and outfield.