THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 27, 1996 TAG: 9603260164
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 143 lines
Once again, the Beach District softball title will be decided on the mound.
Salem, a Group AAA state quarterfinalist, returns ace Bronwyn Blair while 1995 regular season champ Princess Anne has Melissa Hirsch back on the hill for her sophomore season.
The two were so dominating last season that league coaches picked them co-players of the year.
Both the Cavaliers and Sun Devils have strong bats, so whichever can get a big hit in their head-to-head battle could end up the league champ.
Bayside, however, will also be a factor. The Marlins return All-State shortstop Dawn Bell and a squad that has been together for two years.
Elsewhere in Tidewater, Granby, behind junior pitcher Elaine McCall, a stellar defense and an equally potent offense, should take the Eastern District title again. Lake Taylor, with a young, but talented squad, is the Comets' only obstacle.
In the Southeastern District race, Western Branch, with its powerful offense and nearly perfect defense, should cruise to another title. Great Bridge suffered some key losses due to graduation but should contend.
Here's a look at how the Beach District will match up in the predicted order of finish:
Princess Anne
Coach: Dennis Nixon
1995 record: 18-3 overall, 17-1 Beach District
Key performers: Melissa Hirsch (So., P); Lisa Slingerland (Sr., 1B); Lori Ferguson (Sr., 3B); Beth Lagreca (Sr., 2B); Sara Smith (Jr., RF); Sara Ravan (So., C).
Outlook: The Cavaliers have it all: pitching - Hirsch will be even more dangerous with a year of varsity experience under her belt - a solid defense and power hitting. Slingerland, a first team All-Tidewater pick, will anchor the defense while Ferguson, in the clean-up spot, carries the offense.
Salem
Coach: Larry Bowman
1995 record:: 20-4 overall, 16-2 Beach District
Key performers: Bronwyn Blair (Jr., P, .375 BA); Kelley King (Sr., 1B, Katie Moyer (So., 3B, .253); Michelle John (Sr., LF, .250); Misty Colebank (Sr., CF, .288); Michelle Pritchard (Sr., RF, .361).
Outlook: The Sun Devils, who advanced to the state playoffs last season, return eight starters. Blair is one of the area's best on the mound. She's posted 40 wins in the past three seasons. At the plate, the Sun Devils are just as tough with power hitters Holliday and Pritchard.
Bayside
Coach: Conrad Parker
1995 record:: 14-5 overall, 14-4 Beach District
Key performers: Dawn Bell (Sr., SS); Tracey Berger (Sr, C); Jen Moricle (Sr., CF); Amber Stout (Sr., LF); Nicole Battersby (Sr., RF); Bethany Hall (Sr., 1B); Jen Walter (Sr., 2B); Michelle Williams (Jr., 3B); Heidi Hill (Jr., P).
Outlook: With Dawn Bell, a two-time all-state performer, heading up an experienced Marlin infield, Bayside promises to be in the thick of the title race. Seven starters and two part-timers return, including Hill, who has compiled a 15-1 record on the mound.
Kellam
Coach: Joe Rinaca
1995 record:: 9-9 overall, 9-9 Beach District
Key performers: Shanon Banks (Jr., C); Ashleigh Brooks (So., IF); Elizabeth Howard (Jr., OF); Jessica James (So., P); Ashley Rogers (Sr., P).
Outlook: The Knights have speed, solid pitching and an improved defense. A strong group of returners mixed with the young talent could make Kellam competitive.
Kempsville
Coach: Dean Spruill
1995 record:: 8-10 overall, 8-10 Beach District
Key performers: Angie Wogan (So., P); Lisa Hacker (Jr., CF); Sabrina Tapley (Sr., LF); Kelly Walsh (Sr., 1B); Katie Costello (So., C).
Outlook: The Chiefs have nine returning players and raw talent in the newcomers. Wogan is one of the up and coming pitchers in the league. Kempsville will rely on its speed around the base paths to boost the offensive drive.
Tallwood
Coach: Jack Byers
1995 record:: 9-9 overall, 9-9 Beach District
Key performers: Tara Kravitz (Sr., CF/SS, .449, .950 fielding percentage); Heather Kinstler (Jr., SS/P/U, .350 BA); Dayna Stern (So., P)
Outlook: The Lions are young, but talented. First year coach Byers is looking to build for the future.
Green Run
Coach: Cindy Winter
1995 record:: 5-13 overall, 5-13 Beach District.
Key performers: Bobbi Jo Spruill (So., P/1B); Cristal Peters (Jr., P/1B); Hallie Kile (Sr., CF); Brandi Amos (Sr., C); Joanie Kelly (So., SS/C/OF).
Outlook: The Stallions return five starters and are looking to improve. Spruill and Peters will split time on the hill.
Cox
Coach: Tom Fisher
1995 record:: 10-8 overall, 10-8 Beach District
Key performers: Courtney O'Konek (Jr., P); Kelly Cahill (Jr., 1B); Lydia Cuthrell (Jr., OF); Katherine Dunford (Jr., SS); Andrea Bussey (Jr., C); Carrie Attinger (Fr., SS); Kate Sadler (So., P).
Outlook: The Falcons have a strong pitching staff with O'Konek and Sadler and the potential to be explosive on offense.
Ocean Lakes
Coach: Scott Brown
1995 record:: 2-16 overall, 1-17 Beach District
Key performers: Stacy Zielinski (Jr., 1B); Alyssa Schropp (Jr., 2B); Stacy Buko (Jr., SS).
Outlook: The Dolphins are still in the early stages of developing their program. Brown, a first year coach, only has three seniors on the roster and is working to reshape the lineup. Schropp will move from behind the plate to help bolster the infield.
First Colonial
Coach: Jeannie Noll
1995 record:: 1-17 overall, 1-17 Beach District
Key performers: Kathryn Morrissey (So., C); Kim Castora (Jr., OF); Katy Walters (Sr., OF); Emily Funk (Sr., 3B/P).
Outlook: First year coach Noll is looking for the sophomore battery of pitcher Lynsey Gore and Morrissey to increase the Patriots numbers in the win column. ILLUSTRATION: BEACH DISTRICT SOFTBALL PREVIEW
Bronwyn Blair
Salem
Melissa Hirsch
Princess Anne
Dawn Bell
Bayside
Lisa Slingerland
Princess Anne
Theresa Holliday
Salem
Michelle Pritchard
Salem
by CNB