THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 21, 1995 TAG: 9505190227
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
AS IT HAS for the past few years, the Southeastern District softball race has all the makings of a Western Branch-Great Bridge showdown in the final.
``For about the last five years anyways, it's been Great Bridge one, Western Branch two, or vice versa,'' said Great Bridge Wildcats coach Noble Palmer.
Does playing the Bruins for district glory every get tiring?
``Absolutely not,'' Palmer said. ``Playing them rejuvenates, reinvigorates, and refocuses everything we do.
``They keep us very sharp. They're the No. 1 team around, and we think they have the best shot of winning the state championship.''
The Southeastern District playoffs are Tuesday and Wednesday at Indian River High School.
The top four teams in the district advance; Western Branch and Great Bridge have secured the top two seeds.
Palmer knows from experience that Western Branch (15-4, 12-1 in district going into Tuesday's games) is deep at every position.
The Bruins boast one of the finest pitchers in the region in Nicole Belote, who is backed up defensively by double-play combination Sarah Wolf and Evie Benson. Jaci Morris has a cannon of an arm in center field, and third baseman Jennifer Sajko is a catalyst at the plate.
After losing a heartbreaker on the road to the Bruins, Great Bridge (15-3, 11-2) broke through recently and beat Western Branch at home, a come-from-behind 8-6 victory that was the Bruins first loss in district play.
``I felt like all the pressure was on us, none on them. We certainly don't strike fear into their hearts,'' said Palmer.
``Beating Western Branch is important anywhere, but the fact that it was at home added a little bit more.''
Catcher Marni Magyar and pitcher Denise Wack have been working well together all season for Great Bridge, and Emily Ouzts has been one of the Wildcats' heavy-hitters at the plate.
As deep and talented as they are, the Bruins aren't the only team that Palmer is warily watching.
``I'm scared to death of Wilson. They've given us a fit for several years,'' he said. ``They are very, very strong, and Oscar Smith is so much improved you wouldn't believe it. We have to be patient with them - they can beat us, and we know it.''
The Presidents (10-5, 9-4) are a young team (there are only two seniors on the squad) with speed to burn.
Although coach Cornell Gordan hesitates to single out any players, Amanda Johnson is a terror at the plate.
Oscar Smith (11-6, 8-5) has come on strong at the end of the year thanks in part to the efforts of Amber Parker, Nicole Davis and Sabrina Golt. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
The strong roles played by Western Branch infielder Sarah Wolf,
pitcher Nicole Belote and centerfielder Jaci Morris, are why the
team holds the area's top softball ranking.
by CNB