PRESEASON TOP 10
1. Lee-Davis
2. Cosby
3. Deep Run
4. Hanover
5. Prince George
6. Atlee
7. Patrick Henry
8. Thomas Dale
9. Mills Godwin
10. Midlothian
district.
CAPITAL
DISTRICT
ATLEE
2007 record: 6-4 Capital, 11-9
Coach: John Earley, fifth season, 32-49
Key players: Jackie Jenkins, Jr., P/OF; Samantha Kandravi, Sr., P/OF; Krissy Leber, Sr., C/3B; Jessica Hart, Sr., 2B; Ryndee Ruch, Jr., 3B/CF
Outlook: This may be the best squad Earley has had in his five seasons with tremendous pitching depth. Kandravi and Jenkins are an awesome tandem. The defense is always solid. Ruch (.375) and Leber (.353) were consistent at the plate last season. If Earley can find some more clutch hitting throughout the order and gain some wins over togh competition early, look out.
HANOVER
2007
record: 10-0 Capital, 26-2
Coach: Chris Pace, fifth season, 89-17
Key players: Courtney Long, Sr., C/OF; Lisa Puryear, Sr., P/1B; Kelly Stadjuhar, Sr., RF; Amanda Woolard, Jr., CF; Brittany Sutherland, Sr., SS; Jessica Spiegler, Jr., 1B
Outlook: Two-time defending region champions have lost program building blocks in Lauren Brummell (UMBC), Julie Smith (JMU) and Jessie Atkinson (CNU). But a four-year starter remains in Long, who fittingly enough is headed to Longwood. Puryear is good in the circle and is backed up by arguably the top outfield in the area with Stajduhar, Woolard, Allison Worley and Tiffany Browning. Capital is ultra-tough, but Hanover has parts to three-peat.
LEE-DAVIS
Coach: Jackie Davis
2007 record: 8-2 Capital, 15-7
Key players: Casey Clarke, CF; Chelsea Mallory, C; Chelsea “Cheese” Mitchell, SS, Jr.; Melanie Hazlewood, P; Kelsie Hudson, P
Outlook: Great coach, great players and abundant experience equals high expectations for Confederate softball. Clarke is headed to Longwood with Hanover’s Long. Mallory and Mitchell will also be college bound. Pitching is excellent with Hazlewood and Hudson; opponents won’t know who to expect. Sky’s the limit for L-D.
CENTRAL
DISTRICT
COLONIAL HEIGHTS
2007
record: 4-8 Central, 8-12
Coaches: Toni and Chris Martin
Key players: Kari Toombs, Jr., SS; Danielle Searle, Sr., CF; Caitlin Underhill, So., P
Outlook: Eight starters return to the Colonials, including many consistent hitters like Toombs and Searle. The defense behind Underhill is solid and experienced. But CH lacks pitching depth. CH is capable of pulling a few upsets and sneaking near the top of the Central.
THOMAS DALE
2007
record: 11-3 Central, 14-6
Coach: Dennis Jones, third season, 25-13-1
Key players: Lauryn Nanny, Jr., LF; Alexa Tuck, Jr., 3B; Christy Barron, Sr., CF; Sarah Heretick, Sr., C
Outlook: The Knights had an impressive 2007 campaign and have seven starters back. Tuck, Nanny and Barron can swing the bat with the best of them. The key may be freshman pitcher Lacey Waldrop and her defense, as Kelliegh Woodlief graduated. Waldrop had 17 strikeouts in th season-opener.
DINWIDDIE
2007
record: 11-3 Central, 15-6
Coach: Sharon Cousins, sixth season, 57-41
Key players: Kellie Bridgeman, Jr., 1B; Ashley May, Sr., P; Dani Abbey, Sr., OF; McKenzie Witkins, So., OF
Outlook: Four starters are back, including Bridgeman, one of the top hitters in the district and region. She stroked .420 with 31 RBI in 2007. For the Generals to have as successful a season, other bats will have to wake up to support pitcher Ashley May.
MATOACA
2007
record: 7-7 Central, 8-10
Coach: Scott Driskill, fifth season, 23-47
Key players: Tori Benson, Sr., P; Amber Brockwell, Sr., OF; Allyssa Zebrowski, So., SS; Erin Chaney, Jr., 1B
Outlook: The Warriors have solid pitching and a good defense behind Benson. The youthful squad will have to produce more runs to finish third behind Prince George and Thomas Dale.
PRINCE GEORGE
2007 record: 13-1 Central,
17-5
Coach: Pat Waguespack
Key players: Caitlen Manning, Sr., SS; Lauren Vinson, So., P
Outlook: The Royals dominated the district last season and will look to do so again behind JMU-bound Manning. Vinson showed what she can do in the circle last season and should be even better.
COLONIAL DISTRICT
DEEP
RUN
2007 record: 8-4 Colonial, 15-7
Coach: Stu Brown, second season, 15-7
Key players: Taylor Blankenship, Sr., P; Kelly Penny, Sr. 1B; Claire Brooks, Sr., CF; K.J. Johnson, Sr., 2B; Tiffany Tate, Sr., 3B; Jena Baldaino, Jr., RF
Outlook: Seven starters return, including several seniors like Blankenship, the district’s best pitcher and a great hitter. Brooks smacked. 500 last season in limited action. The Wildcats have the making of a district champion.
MILLS GODWIN
2007 record: 9-3 Colonial,
14-8
Coach: Walter Pettus
Key players: Stacy Snellings, Sr.; Lenora Rainey,
Outlook: Terrific catcher Hannah Mills departed, but Pettus and his terrific staff always has a well-coached unit. That won’t change this season.
PATRICK HENRY
2007 record: 11-2 Colonial,
18-7
Coach: Matthew Crowder
Key players: Lindsey Tingler, Utility/P, Sr.; Maggie Hogue, Sr., Inf.
Outlook: Crowder and the Patriots got back into the region discussion the past two seasons, losing out to eventual champ Hanover in consecutive seasons. Their big gun Kami Nuckols has graduated, but good parts are left over.
DOMINION
DISTRICT
COSBY
2007 record: 10-4 Dominion, 15-7
Coach: Ray Jeter, second season, 15-7
Key players: Whitney Haller, Sr., P; Ashley Davenport, Sr., 1B; Brittany Burgess, Sr., RF; Megan Bell-Hill, So., 2B
Outlook: Eight starters are back, led by arguably the most dominant pitcher in the area in Haller. Coach Jeter is still looking for a consistent offense to go with his top pitching. If the bats stay awake we could have a new Dominion District champion.
JAMES RIVER
2007
record: 9-5 Dominion, 13-8
Coach: Rich Johann, second season, 13-8
Key
players: Lauren Trentham, Jr., SS; Katheryn Atkins, Jr., 1B; Lindsey Tuck, So., C; Emelie Duck, Sr., RF; Amanda Belcher, Sr., 2B
Outlook: Youthful but successful pitchers return in sophs Logan Carter and Whitney Catterton. Johann believes the offense has improved and defense can still stop people. Look for Rapid movement up the Dominion ladder.
MIDLOTHIAN
2007 record: 12-2 Dominion,
18-6
Coach: Denise Manuel, 19th season
Key players: Cay Manuel, Jr., SS; Rudy Edmunds, So., C; Mandii Rouse, Jr., 1B; Suzanne Spencer, So., 2B; Krista Townsend, Jr., P
Outlook: Big losses blew holes through Manuel’s roster as the best pitcher in the area, Brittany Blankenship (Wingate), is gone. Her backup, the multi-talented Sammy Dow, will not play this season to concentrate on track and field. Three starters are back, including Manuel’s daughter, Cay. How fast the youthful lineup will grow will determine Midlothian’s season.
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