THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 24, 1996 TAG: 9603290738
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 24 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Long : 129 lines
THE NANSEMOND RIVER softball team made a habit of finishing in second place last season. The Warriors were runner-up in the Bay Rivers District and Region I and lost in the state championship game to Richlands.
But a strong group of returning starters this season makes Nansemond River the preseason favorite in the district, according to most Bay Rivers coaches. Their experience also gives the Warriors a good chance of returning to the state tournament.
In the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, led by all-state pitcher Sarah Putnam, is the favorite.
Here is a look at each area team from information provided by coaches:
Nansemond River
Coach: Jerry Varacallo
1995 record: 18-7 overall, 10-4 Bay Rivers
Key performers: Heather Behrends (Sr., 3B); Kari Harrell (Sr., OF); Chrissy Mims (Sr., P); LaToya Crocker (Sr., OF); Kelly McCrickard (Sr., 2B); Nicole Angelillo (Jr., SS); Katie Sklar (Sr., C); Alexis Hough (Fr,. OF); Kim Tribble (Soph., 1B).
Outlook: The Warriors return seven starters but will be without Angie Gatling (.407 BA, 5 HR, 28 RBIs), a first team All-District and All-Region selection at first base who tore a ligament in her knee. That leaves Nansemond River without a dominant power hitter. The defense should be solid and Mims (16-6, .415 BA) is a three-year starter on the mound. Behrends (.411 BA) was the first female Warrior to be named all-state, while Harrell (.462) earned first team All-Bay Rivers. Crocker, McCrickard and Angelillo each hit over .300 last season.
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy
Coach: Mike Putnam
1995 record: 25-5 overall, 12-0 TCIS
Key performers: Sarah Putnam (Sr., P/C/SS); Lea Wilson (Sr., C/1B/OF); Allison Williams (Sr., 3B/OF); Stacey Davidson (Sr., OF/IF); April Wescott (Jr., 2B/SS); Ann Murden (Jr., SS); Katie Young (Jr., IF); Amy Black (Jr., OF).
Outlook: Putnam, who signed with the University of Maryland to be a catcher, is the Saints top pitcher and will spend time at both positions and shortstop this season. She was 22-4 with an ERA under 1.00 last year and hit RBIs) and Wescott (.313, 22 RBIs) joining Putnam. The defense is also in good shape with all nine starters back.
Lakeland
Coach: Nancy Copeland
1995 record: not provided
Key performers: Sheila Byrum (Sr., OF); Kristy Cornett (Jr., OF); Amy Johnson (Jr., C); Jennifer Jones (Jr., 2B); Dana McLeod (Jr., 3B); Lisa Pearce (Sr., C); Belinda Perry (Jr., OF); Lorna Riley (Sr., 1B).
Outlook: Eight returnees, seven starters, should help the Cavaliers improve over last season. Defense should be solid, but pitching is a question mark. Lakeland will need to have everything clicking and avoid injury to challenge for the top half of the Bay Rivers.
Southampton
Coach: Stacy Carr
1995 record: not provided
Key performers: Shanette Gary (Jr., C); Susan Joyner (Jr., 1B/P); Towanda Evans (Sr., OF); Laura Gray (Sr., OF); Carrie Long (Sr., 3B); Angie Bryant (Soph., 2B); Kristie Kelter (Soph., P); Stephanie Walker (Soph., SS).
Outlook: Despite having a young team, first-year coach Carr expects the Indians to finish in the top half of the district. The infield will be inexperienced, while Joyner and Kelter will have to do most of the pitching.
Smithfield
Coach: Becky King
1995 record: not provided
Key performers: Christan Rhoton (Jr., P); Erin Hanlon (Jr., OF); Edith Whitley (Fr., C).
Outlook: King, in her first season, said this will be a rebuilding year for the Packers. Smithfield will focus on fundamentals and try to improve with each game. Whitley has the potential to become a solid all-around player.
Franklin
Coach: Elizabeth McCullough
1995 record: 5-13 overall
Key performers: Eve Drewry (Sr., 1B); Leigh Wilmot (Sr., C); Stacy Thomas (Jr., SS); Jennifer Manuel (Soph., OF).
Outlook: Drewry and Wilmot are the only returning starters, so the Broncos will need some help from their younger players to have an impact.
Windsor
Coach: Patsy Neal
1995 record: 4-10 overall
Key performers: Jennifer Claud (Jr., OF); April Copeland (Sr., 2B); Laura Groenestyn (Sr., SS); Candice Jones (Jr., 1B).
Outlook: Neal said she has a crop of young players up from last year's junior varsity team led by Susan Frank, a freshman pitcher who struck out 12 and walked three in a scrimmage against Lakeland last week. The newcomers' ability to jell with the three returning starters will be crucial, according to Neal.
Sussex Central
Coach: Don Mudrich
1995 record: 21-1 overall, 8-0 Tri-Rivers
Key performers: Lataya Hilliard (Sr., 1B); Mysolia Crocker (Sr., OF); Denise Reagan (Sr., P); Tamica Mason (Sr., IF); LeSheilia Hill (Jr., OF); Wendy Upton (Jr., C).
Outlook: Sussex Central is the favorite in the Tri-Rivers District with six returning starters that helped them roll through the district last season.
Southampton Academy
Coach: Beth Hartson
1995 record: 10-6 overall, 9-5 Virginia Commonwealth Conference
Key performers: Jessica Partridge (Sr., 1B); Jennifer Pope (Sr., SS); Jessica Pope (Sr., OF); Anna Story (Sr., 3B-OF); Wendy Worrell (Sr., 2B/3B); Anrae Gurganus (Jr., P); Krystal Bryant (Jr., OF); April Burgess (8th grade, 2B); Katie Sutton (Soph., C).
Outlook: The Raiders return nine players from last year's team. Partridge (.480 BA), Jessica Pope (.350 BA), Jennifer Pope (.380 BA), Story (.376 BA) and Worrell (.370 BA) should provide plenty of offensive fire power and Hartson expects excellent defense. The five seniors were on the VCC basketball and volleyball championship teams this year.
Isle of Wight Academy
Coach: Jack Reynolds
1995 record: 11-3 overall, 9-3 VCC
Key performers: Kim Wells (Sr., P); Kara Doggett (Soph., 2B); Casey Delano (Jr., SS); Amber Napier (Jr., 3B); Lee Jones (Soph., OF); Karyn Miller (Soph., OF); Kim Chrisman (Jr., OF).
Outlook: The Chargers have a good group of players returning and are stronger offensively than last season, according to Reynolds. Defense shouldn't be a problem with most of the infield and the entire outfield back from last season. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Heather Behrends...
by CNB