Friday, April 02, 1999
SOFTBALL PREVIEW
Blake back to help Ross make pitch for No. 1
BY CAREY HOFFMAN
Enquirer contributor
If nothing else, losing a game for the first time in her high school pitching career in last year's district finals gave Ross' Allison Blake food for thought this spring.
“That's what I wrote my college (entrance) essay about, about how I learned my lesson,” says Blake. That lesson -- not to get too high or too low as success builds -- could be a big key to Blake and her Ross teammates improving on last year's success.
Ross is ranked No. 3 in the Enquirer's first coaches poll of the season as play started this week. Blake is widely viewed as the area's top pitcher, after compiling a 15-1 season last year with an 0.44 ERA and earning second-team all-state honors.
But that one loss rankles: it came in the district finals against Franklin and it was the first for Blake after 24 straight victories dating back to her freshman season.
“It was quite a streak,” Ross coach Paul Fernandez said. “We knew from early on she was a lefthander with good control. She's not an overpowering type, so I guess you would say she's more of a true pitcher.”
Blake only struck out an average of four batters per game last year, but she has learned her craft well, including getting tutelage from Ross pitching coach Bob Walton, a former fast-pitch pitcher who has coached eight all-state pitchers in 15 years at the school.
“Ross has always had pitchers,” said Blake, who is joined on the staff this year by junior Randi Huffman, who was 14-1 with a 1.42 ERA last year. “When I was in sixth grade, Ross had Amy Wietzel and she was one to watch. Plus my sister was pitching a little, so I thought I would kind of like to try that out.”
Blake makes up for speed with knowledge and versatility.
“Everyone says my drop is my best pitch. It gets a lot of movement on it,” Blake says. “You can really see it drop and people swing right over it. If I didn't have that, I wouldn't be very good at all, I would say.”
Below is a rundown on the area's top ten teams according to the coaches.
1. Sycamore: Eight veterans are back for a team that won the city title last year and was ranked third in the state. Pitching, speed and defense should be keys again. Junior centerfielder Lindsay Austin (.328 batting average) is a top offensive threat, while shortstop Sarah Melvin has 57 steals in the last two years.
2. Fairfield: Fairfield tied with Sycamore as GMC champs a year ago. Outfielder Allison Bultman and shortstop Janae Chaney return, along with underclass pitchers Stephanie Fatheree and Emily Brietholle.
3. Ross: Fernandez has his most experienced team with seven senior starters, including five four-year starters. Blake and Huffman anchor the team, but Emily Cooper, Kim Allgeier, Lucy Haubner, Missy Neal and Brandy Leisring all hit above .315 a year ago. Ross has won 20 games or more and the FAVC title a remarkable 12 years in a row.
4. St. Ursula: Shortstop Chrissy Donovan might be the area's top offensive threat after a .533 season a year ago with 45 RBIs and 40 steals. Catcher Lindsey Blesser is another offensive plus, with 20 RBIs, a figure matched by Trisha St. Clair and Jill Cappel. Pitching and replacing three infielders are concerns.
5. McAuley: McAuley must mesh in 10 newcomers to the roster, but should be an excellent defensive team anchored by power pitcher Sarah Zoeller (1.60 ERA, 62 strikeouts in 52.1 innings). Seniors Jen Noonan and Sherry Huber are defensive standouts, while sophomore Stephanie Salas has the potential to be an offensive leader.
6. Mercy: Pitching is a concern for Mercy, which will try to overcome that with solid chemistry and a roster full of good athletes. Middle infielder Maggie Stath hit .370 a year ago while stealing 27 bases in 28 attempts. Jen Oberjohann and Joy Herstenberg are also offensive pluses. Sophomore pitcher Shannon O'Donnel is the sister of two-time GGCL Player of the Year Erin O'Donnel.
7. Lakota East: All nine starters are back from last year's 14- 10 team, led by one of the area's top all-around talents, pitcher Laura Day (.461 batting average on offense; 14-7 pitching record with 144 strikeouts and a 1.01 ERA). Julie Cole, Tracey Mazuk, Cadee Schumacher, Christin Flores and Jill Inkrott are other top returnees.
8. Lakota West: Like its sister school, Lakota West went 14-10 a year ago and is a veteran team this year, with eight starters back. Three-year starter Meredith Burlew is back at second base, with first-team all-GMC first baseman Kathy Pressler (.345 batting average) and shortstop-catcher Celia Nowicki (.319 batting average) also returning. Pitching is a concern.
9. Amelia: Only one senior was lost from last year's 10-6 team. Three strong pitchers return in Crissy Rapp, Lisa Rettinger and Krista Forbes. Rapp was also a first-team all-QCC outfielder, the same honor won by catcher Tracy Combs. Shortstop Jill Browning is a three-year starter who hit .385 a year ago.
10. Ursuline: Youth is still the rule for Ursuline, but there is also experience with seven returning position players. Centerfielder Katy Mess (.346 batting average), first baseman Charlotte Lux (.329 batting average) and third baseman Jenny Webb are top position players back. Ursuline will have to endure a new battery as the year begins.
Sports Stories
Reds deal gets new player
Reds' new screen worthy of its own highlight reel
Oh, what a relief Reds' pen is
Both catchers will see action
Reds roster
Rangers 6, Reds 4
No prime time for Bengals
DeMarco adds line depth
