More L-L League softball preview caps for you … Phil Glatfelter takes a look at Section 1:
At first glance, it looks like Warwick’s softball team will have an easy time of it this season.
The Warriors have all but two starters back from last year’s squad, which went 20-5, won the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 title and reached the District 3 Quad-A title game.
But looks can be deceiving.
Last season’s 16 league wins — with six crossover victories against Section 2 foes — didn’t all come easy for Warwick.
Some of the Warriors’ close calls last year included 3-2 and 5-3 wins over Section 1 runner-up Cedar Crest, and 3-2 and 9-8 crossover wins over Solanco and Elizabethtown.
And then there was the 1-0 win over Conestoga Valley that went so long — 21 innings — that it had to be contested over two days.
This year, Cedar Crest should be as strong as it was last year, when it went 19-5. Hempfield, which finished third last season, is also improving.
In addition, the Warriors’ crossover games against Section 2 will be dangerous, with teams like Solanco and E-town looking as tough as ever.
But with players like Sam Derr, a sophomore outfielder-pitcher who hit .495 with 22 RBIs, 31 runs and 23 stolen bases, and was 5-3 with six saves and an 0.63 ERA on the mound, returning, the Warriors remain as the team to beat.
Here’s a brief look at the Section 1 teams in order of predicted finish:
Warwick
COACH: Don Miller (fifth season).
2007 RECORD: 20-5 overall, 16-0 Section 1 champ.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: Liz Herrmann, Chelsea Kreiter.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Jess Brown, sr., SS; Kim Martin, sr., 3B; Megan Bollinger, jr., 1B; Zanie DiGiacomo, jr., OF-P; Jen Gennett, jr., LF; Amanda Kutcher, jr., C; Sam Derr, so., P-CF (New Era All-Star); Bri Martin, so., 2B; Kris Pilkington, so., 1B-OF.
OUTLOOK: The Warriors return plenty, but Herrmann (4 HR, 23 RBIs, 26 runs) and Kreiter (14-2, 1.59 ERA) will be missed. Derr and Brown (.376 BA, 21 runs, 11 steals) are the top returnees. “Our juniors are going to have to step up offensively this season,” Miller said. “And our outfield play must be solid for us to compete against top tier teams.”
Cedar Crest
COACH: Jerry Stover (fourth season).
2007 RECORD: 19-5 overall, 13-3 Section 1.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: Sara Brensinger (New Era All-Star), Allison Smith, Amber Moyer, Marisa Krause.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Amy Brensinger, sr., OF; Beth Brensinger, sr., CF; Jen Garloff, sr., P-1B; Katelyn Nordall, sr., P-1B (New Era All-Star); Abby Ruoss, jr., OF-3B.
OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Stephanie Kreiser, sr., OF-SS; Courtney Rank, sr., 3B; Brandi Potts., so., C; Brittany Potts, so., 1B; Sarah Lebo, fr., SS.
OUTLOOK: The Falcons were stripped by graduation up the middle with Smith at shortstop, Moyer at second and Brensinger in center field all gone. Plus, Smith and third baseman Krause combined to drive in 50 runs. “Somebody has to step up,” Stover said about the offense. Nordall and Ruoss, who both hit over .300 last season, will be keys in that area. Pitching will also be a factor, and Stover can look to Nordall (9-0) and Garloff (10-5).
Hempfield
COACH: Cathy Riggs (first season).
2007 RECORD: 7-12 overall, 7-9 Section 1.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: Chelsea Bowman, Megan Dancause.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Ashley Raihl, sr., P; Ashley Risner, sr., P-OF; Tara Risner, sr., C-3B; Lindsey Cooper, jr., 2B; Brittany Hammer, jr., SS; Christina Lausch, jr, 3B.
OUTLOOK: Riggs takes over after 11 years as an assistant, and a quick outfield (Ashley Risner, .349 BA) and veteran pitchers (Raihl, 2.86 ERA; Ashley Risner, 3.17 ERA) give the Knights a good outlook. Bowman, a three-time all-star, will be difficult to replace at first base, and Section 1 will have some tough competition, but “our girls are anxious to make a run at the postseason,” Riggs said. Lausch, a Section 1 all-star, is the top returning hitter, batting .354 last season.
McCaskey
COACH: Robert Shenk (sixth season).
2007 RECORD: 5-14 overall, 4-12 Section 1.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: Tierney Gallagher, Lauren Geib, Kayla Weiler, Ashley Vazquez.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Jazzy Alvarado, sr., 1B; Emily Blevins, sr., OF-3B; Emily Broomell, sr., C; Brittany Christian, sr., OF-SS; Jessica Hamilton, sr., 2B; Kayla Hulyo, jr., OF.
OUTLOOK: Shenk points to a good mix of players. But the experienced returnees may need to carry the load until inexperienced sophomore pitchers settle in. Playing solid defense will also be a key.
Penn Manor
COACH: David Stokes (second season).
2007 RECORD: 3-16 overall, 3-13 Section 1.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: Liz Dickerman, Ashley Johnson.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Courtney Brought, sr., P; Kayla Robison, sr., C; Catalina Cedeneo, jr., IF; Teresa Helwig, jr., OF; Ashley Rineer, jr., UTL; Baily Zuzu, jr., P-IF.
OUTLOOK: The Comets struggled to three wins last year, but Stokes says his players have put in plenty of hard work in the offseason. He expects contributions from a number of younger players, who bring plenty of enthusiasm with them.
Manheim Township
COACH: Kirk Luther (first season).
2007 RECORD: 3-16 overall, 2-14 Section 1.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: Michelle Bidus, Liz DeJesus, Melissa Templeton, Alex Velazquez, Jamie Ward.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: Kathleen Haefner, sr., 3B; Emily Miller, sr., 1B; Natasha Veledar, sr., OF; Sabrina Guzy, jr., SS; Steph Seber, jr., C; Brittany Angermier, so., OF.
OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Frances Burey, jr., OF; Gloriany Rivas, jr., OF; Kabrina Kirchner, fr., P-OF; Emily Peiffer, fr., 2B; Danielle Rissmiller, fr., P-OF.
OUTLOOK: Luther stressed defense to his players in the offseason, and he says the players have been working hard. The young pitchers must step up. “I know our girls had better be ready to play every time we step on the field,” he said.
