THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 31, 1996 TAG: 9603290178
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Long : 115 lines
LIKE THE REST of South Hampton Roads, the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools softball race will be decided on the mound.
Sarah Putnam, by far the league's top gun, is back for her senior season at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. Only this year, she should see time behind the plate. Putnam, known around Tidewater for her domination on the mound with a series of pitches and changing speeds, is also one of the best catchers in the state. She signed early with Maryland to call the pitches, not throw 'em.
Greenbrier Christian, behind Alyson Mazur, a steady and speedy hurler, is expected to be in the mix.
Here's a capsule look at the TCIS teams in the coverage are of The Virginian-Pilot in the predicted order of finish:
NANSEMOND-SUFFOLK ACADEMY
Coach: Mike Putnam
1995 Record: 25-5 overall, 12-0 TCIS
Key Performers: Sarah Putnam (Sr., P/C, 207 strikeouts, .989 ERA, .450 BA); Lea Wilson (Sr., C/first base/outfield, .421 BA), Allison Williams (Sr., third base/outfield, .255 BA); Stacey Davidson (Sr., centerfield); April Wescot (Jr., second base/shortstop, .313 BA); Ann Murden (Jr., shortstop); Katie Young (Jr., infield); Amy Black (Jr., outfield); Allison Dunn (So., infield/outfield); Jennifer Johnson (So., P/outfield); Billie Jean Savage (So., outfield); Meg McIntosh (So., P/infield); Leslie Warren (Fr., first base/C).
Outlook: The Saints are loaded. Sarah Putnam is back on the mound for N-SA. Putnam has collected 554 career strikeouts and should lead the Saints to another TCIS title. She, however, will also see time behind the plate this season. Wilson, a power hitter and the other half of the N-SA battery, is another of the defending TCIS champs' nine returning starters.
GREENBRIER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Coach: Ed Hoppe
1995 Record: Not available
Key Performers: Alyson Mazur (Jr., P/outfield); Tara Garlow (Jr., shortstop); Carolyn Sprankle (Jr., second base); Kelly Holland (Jr., third base/C); Katie Sherwood (So., first base); Anna Barrett (So., C/outfield); Ginger Honeycutt (Sr., outfield); Michelle Hines (Sr., outfield); Ginny Fletcher (8th grader, P/outfield); Pamela Mann (So., third base/second base).
Outlook: Hoppe brings 12 years of coaching experience and a 167-46 record from Norfolk Christian to a budding Greenbrier program. Mazur pitched the Gators to the league final against N-SA and should help her team battle the Saints for the TCIS' top spot again this year. The Gators have a young but seasoned defense as well as a speedy offense.
CATHOLIC
Coach: Vann Sutton
1995 Record: 12-8 overall, 7-2 TCIS
Key Performers: Erin Osborne (Jr., shortstop/P); Sam Green (Sr., C/outfield/first base); Angela Oliveto (Fr., P/shortstop); Laura Lejano (Sr., C/third base); Stacey Davis (Jr., first base/third base/outfield); Heather Porter (So., second base/outfield).
Outlook: Eight players return - six starters - for the Crusaders, who finished third in the league last season. Sutton will easily get his 100th career win. Osborne, a two-time All-TCIS performer, is back as Catholic's ace. The Crusaders could be a darkhorse if Osborne and Green come through at the plate.
NORFOLK CHRISTIAN
Coach: C.B. Ayscue
1995 Record: Not available
Key Performers: Kelly Hargrove (Sr., outfield); Debbie McMichael (Sr., outfield/C); Rachel Long (Sr., outfield); Christie Kinstler (Sr., C); Reanna Hicks (Sr., outfield); Paige Morton (Sr., infield); Kathryn Carter (Jr., infield); Eliza Colquitt (Jr., infield); Liz Fulcher (So., infield/P); Bonnie Carter (So., P); Stephanie Todd (Fr., outfield).
Outlook: The Ambassadors have seven returning starters and an experienced defense. If Fulcher and Carter continue to improve on the mound, Norfolk Christian could sneak into the race.
NORFOLK ACADEMY
Coach: Ed Woodson
1995 Record: Not available
Key Performers: Jackie Johnson (Sr., P); Evan Pitler (Jr., C); Elizabeth Booton (Sr., shortstop); Anju Kadakkal (Sr., third base); Mia Nofsinger (So., leftfield); Mary Booton (So., second base); Qamara Edwards (So., infield); Sarah Kaneko (Fr., first base).
Outlook: The Bulldogs are young, but are deeper on offense than they have been in the past. Kaneko and Edwards will add to the power. Johnson, Pitler and Elizabeth Booton will strengthen the defense.
NORFOLK COLLEGIATE
Coach: Pete Thompson
1995 Record: 6-13 overall, 5-4 TCIS
Key Performers: Devon Chapman (Jr., P); Kellie Jones (Jr., outfield); Sara Bell (Fr., C); Jamie Rock (Sr., rightfield); Ashley Hall (Jr., shortstop); Susan Beck (Jr., second base).
Outlook: Chapman, a transfer from Cox, should help the Oaks' depth on the mound. Norfolk Collegiate returns 10 players, including six starters. Jones has good range in the outfield, which earned her All-TCIS honors last season. Bell, only a freshman, will start behind the plate for the second straight season.
CAPE HENRY
Coach: Tim Davis
1995 Record: 1-13 overall, 1-8 TCIS
Key Performers: Courtney Kight (So., outfield/first base); Katie Redmon (Fr., pitcher); Natalie Bray (Sr., third base/C); Leigh Wilkins (Sr., C/third base); Dana Fowler (Jr., shortstop); Colby Kight (Jr., outfield); Summer Foster (So., first base/outfield); Marti Long (8th grader, infield/outfield); Karen King (Fr., outfield); Celeste Setijn (Sr., outfield); Christine Kennan (8th grader, infield/outfield; Brooke Powell (So., outfield).
Outlook: The Dolphins have a new coach and seven new players. Only two starters - Courtney Kight and Redmon - return. Davis will focus on fundamentals and look to improve his young squad. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
Tara Garlow of Greenbrier slides into third base as Allison Williams
of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy awaits the ball. Garlow was tagged out
on the play.
by CNB