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Clearfield softball team returns seven letterwinners for 2010 season
Saturday, March 20, 2010
By Rich Murawski Assistant Sports Editor
HYDE - The Clearfield softball team was full of youth and inexperience a season ago, and struggled through a 6-14 campaign.
But with most of the starting lineup returning and several talented players making the jump from junior varsity, fifth-year head coach Bob Dixon is optimistic the Lady Bisons will be much better in 2010.
"I definitely think we're going to see some improvement," he said. "And there is the potential there to have quite a bit of improvement. Of course it's up to what they want to do and how hard they want to work.
"I think this is about as deep as we've ever been. We probably almost have a full team of jayvees that we could move to varsity. So talent-wise, I think we're pretty good. But the schedule is a lot tougher than it used to be, so we'll see."
The Lady Bisons welcome back seven letterwinners this season in seniors Janell Zalno and Chantell Read, junior Suzie Colesar and sophomores B.J. Bowman, Andrea Butler, Mia Keener and Melinda Owens.
Butler saw a lot of work in the circle a year ago and she, along with sophomore Tristan Lewis and freshman Heather Picard are all in the mix to see pitching action this season.
Butler worked in 18 games and had a 6-10 record. She had an ERA of 3.57 and struck out 65 batters in 100 innings. Lewis tossed 20 1/3 innings and was 0-2 with a 6.20 ERA.
"Andrea threw most of the games last year, and Tristan came in and threw a few for us," Dixon said.
"They've been working hard. I know they both went to different people to help them improve. Heather Picard is also working with the pitchers, and she has been very impressive so far this spring."
The Lady Bison offense had a tough time scoring runs last year, as it hit just .213 and averaged less than three runs per game. But a young team and an injury to Bowman had much to do with that.
Bowman sustained an injury to her finger in the sixth game of the season and missed the rest of the year. She was batting .421 with three home runs, a triple and a double before the injury.
"She is definitely our big stick," Dixon said. "Her finger is completely healed, and she is hitting real well so far."
Colesar and Keener will also be counted on as run producers for the Lady Bisons this year. Colesar hit .327 with six doubles and two home runs last season and was especially productive over the final 10 games when she hit .400. Keener (.306) is the only other returner to hit above .300.
"Suzie Colesar hit real well during the second half of last season," Dixon said. "Mia Keener moved into the outfield when B.J. got hurt last year, and she hit real well.
"The top of the order will be a combination of Janell Zalno, Andrea Butler and Melinda Owens. I think we can get some girls who have some decent speed on base, move them up and hopefully B.J., Suzie and Mia can knock them in."
While the starting lineup is far from set, Dixon does have an idea of who could end up playing where.
Read and sophomore McKenzie Moore are battling for the catcher job, and Dixon says he is more than comfortable with either behind the dish.
"Chantell has been sick a little and hasn't been able to make practice, and McKenzie has upped her status with us," Dixon said.
"She's really pushing for that job. They are both good behind the plate and both have good arms. I think we're pretty solid there."
Colesar will move from the outfield to first base to take over for her sister Julie, who was one of two starters who graduated.
"She has looked real good so far at first base," Dixon said. "She's a big, tall girl, so she gives my infielder's a nice target to shoot at. And she can handle balls in the dirt, so I think she'll do a nice job there."
Owens will slide over to second base after spending most of 2009 at shortstop. Butler will hold that position down when she isn't pitching, while senior Rachel Cordon will likely see action there when Butler is in the circle. Keener will move to third base where Megan Butler resided last season.
Bowman and Zalno will reprise their roles in the outfield, while the third spot is up for grabs between Moore, Lewis and sophomore Lindsey Samsel.
Moore has also been taking reps at third base.
Seniors Baillie Davis and Breanna Blaylock are also having solid springs and are in the mix to get playing time.
"Baillie caught a number of years in jayvee and played some outfield. She's looked pretty good this spring," Dixon said. "Breanna has a good stick. We'll probably use her in pinch-hitting roles a lot this year."
Dixon says he has a versatile group of girls who can easily fill in where needed.
"We can move them around if we have to," he said. "Nothing is set in stone yet. We want players to push each other."
Roger Porter will serve as Dixon's assistant, and Larry Conklin is a volunteer assistant. Andy Squires is back as the junior varsity head coach and Dave Picard is helping him out.
As far as Dixon's goals for the team, it's pretty simple - it's all about improvement.
"We want to improve on last year's record," Dixon said. "I definitely want us to have a winning season so we can qualify for the playoffs.
"We had a losing season last year, and I don't believe a team with a losing record should go into the playoffs. But I want us to have a winning season so we can go to the playoffs and represent Clearfield in the correct fashion.
"They've been working real hard, and I've been impressed with them. If our pitching holds up, we'll do real well."
The Lady Bisons open the season March 29 at DuBois. Roster
Seniors
Breanna Blaylock, Rachel Cordon, Baillie Davis, *Chantell Read, *Janell Zalno.
Juniors
*Suzie Colesar, Sarah Graham, Kaitlin Houdeshell, Destiney Kanouff.
Sophomores
*B.J. Bowman, *Andrea Butler, *Mia Keener, Tristan Lewis, Robyn McBride, McKenzie Moore, *Melinda Owens, Amanda Peoples, Lindsey Samsel, Tori Wilsoncroft.
Freshmen
Alyssa Broad, Kayla Brooks, Mikayla Ebling, Dakota Farmery, Lucy Kovalick, Heather Picard, Brittany Renaud, Amber Scott.
*Denotes returning letterwinners.
Schedule
March
29-at DuBois; 31-State College.
April
7-at Hollidaysburg, 4 p.m.; 8-Bradford; 9-at Altoona; 12-Bellefonte; 14-at Punxsutawney; 17-at Central Mountain Tournament, 9 a.m.; 19-at Williamsport, 4 p.m.; 21-St. Marys; 28-Brookville.
May
3-DuBois; 5-at Bradford; 7-Hollidaysburg; 10-Punxsutawney; 12-at St. Marys; 19-at Brookville; 21-Altoona.
Games start at 4:15 p.m. unless noted.
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