Fillies want to be the darkhorse in Section 3-AAA race
The Laurel Highlands softball team wants to be the darkhorse in the race for the Section 3-AAA title this year. Coach George Kaiser enters with a young squad after losing five seniors to graduation and has only four seniors returning this year.
Seniors lost include Janelle Zinn, Amy Bandzuch, Marci Pursglove, Heidi Frank and Terri Ubino. The three seniors returning – Angie Shotter, Angie Stafford and Ashley Capranica – will be key to the Fillies success this year. Shotter and Stafford will carry the pitching load. When not pitching Shotter will play some at second base and Stafford will catch when not pitching. First-year senior Megan Carter could earn some playing time.
Kaiser will rely on a good group of juniors to help fill positions this spring. Abby Martin will be at shortstop. “She might be the best athlete among the juniors,” Kaiser said. Others expected to contribute are Jessica Pento at third, Terri Johnson and Marybeth Oshnack will split time at first, and Stacy Butosky in the outfield.
A couple of sophomores are expected to get a lot of playing time. Jen Barry can pitch and play the infield. Renee Gmiter can catch and play the infield. Center fielder Kerri Smeill will also do some catching when Stafford pitches.
Kaiser also has a fourth arm he can call upon. Junior Jen Russman can throw, but lacks varsity experience. Other members of the team are Maria Merryman, Sara Slampak, Nicole Martin and Roberta Capen.
“I know a lot of teams can get by with just one dominant pitcher,” Kaiser said. “I want to try to use everybody and build a rotation.”
Looking at his squad Kaiser said there have been no real surprises this spring and thinks all of his girls are about equal in talent. His biggest job is getting the right people in the right position.
“Once I get the girls settled in the right position and they gain a little more experience, we’ll be a stronger team,” he said. ” I think we’re solid defensively and we have some strong arms on the mound.”
Kaiser’s main concern is generating runs. “I’ve been working to improve our hitting because we were a little behind from working indoors early in the season,” he said. “That part of their game is getting better. If the hitting comes around, we’ll be a pretty good team.”
Kaiser said he is working hard on the short game, in laying down bunts, and working on hit-and-run situations. He knows one key to success is to put the ball in play.
“Defense and pitching can always improve, but hitting is key,” he said. “We’ve been in a lot of one-run ballgames and have been just a hit or two away from winning those games.”
Kaiser knows the section will have a little different look and should be more competitive. Elizabeth-Forward and Belle Vernon moved down a classification and were replaced by Hempfield and Greensburg Salem. “They didn’t do us any favors moving Hempfield in. They have a good program every year,” he said. Connellsville, the section co-champ last year, is expected to once again contend for the section title.
“We’ve been a step behind programs like Connellsville and Hempfield, but I honestly think we can compete with them this year,” Kaiser said. “Hitting is the big key. If we can improve our offense, then the playoffs are available to us.”
Kaiser thinks he has the talent, but the question is can the Fillies raise their level of play to take some games from the contenders. If they can do that he thinks the Fillies can make a hard charge for the playoffs.
Laurel Highlands will host Waynesburg Central today and Albert Gallatin Thursday, as well as Connellsville (April 9), Brownsville (April 16), Hempfield (April 23), Greensburg Salem (April 28) and Uniontown May 5. Road games will take the Fillies to Greensburg Salem (April 7), Albert Gallatin (April 8), Uniontown (April 14), Geibel Catholic (April 15), Frazier (April 24), Albert Gallatin (April 25), Belle Vernon (April 29), Connellsville (April 30) and Connellsville (May 2).