By Rusty McCracken
CURWENSVILLE – The last time a Curwensville Area High School Girls’ Softball team stepped onto a diamond, they walked off the field at Shippensburg University with state gold – the second in three seasons. However, that accomplishment hasn’t been a hot topic on the practice field this season.
“We didn’t talk about last year at all in the off-season or pre-season,” said Lady Tide Head Coach Allen Leigey. “We just brought it up last week. I made the girls aware that they had the target on their backs. Everyone’s going to come at us with their best game.”
With the loss of talent that reset the standards at Curwensville, many opponents may have an idea of knocking off the defending Class A State Champions, but the 2010 Black and Gold squad isn’t ready to give up the crown without a fight.
“I told the girls I wanted to make the district finals,” Leigey said. “I didn’t say we had to win it, but getting to the finals gives you a berth in the state playoffs, and there you have a chance to make things happen.”
Last year’s graduation did take its toll on the Tide as eight seniors, six of them starters, moved on to the collegiate ranks. Included in the class of 2009 were, as Leigey called them the “Big Three.” Holly Lansberry, Ashley Demchak and Shannon McDonald were all four-year letter winners who claimed almost every record kept at Curwensville. However, while the 2009 dream team will always be in the minds of Curwensville fans, this year’s group has some similarities.
“We had the ‘Big Three’ last year,” Leigey smiled, “but we have a new ‘Big Three’ this year. Sara (Clark), Tess (Bloom) and Stacey (Johnson) all have two (state) championship medals, they know what it takes, and they will bring the younger kids along.”
After starting the last two seasons at first base, Johnson will take over the pitching duties. The circle holds, perhaps, the biggest story on the year for the Tide, however, the senior right-hander is ready to step into the spotlight. In a limited roll on the mound in the past two seasons, Johnson is undefeated, including a four-hit shutout of a very good Brockway team as a sophomore.
“This is Stacey’s time to step out of the shadow,” said Leigey, “and she’s ready to step up. Once she realizes that she is as good as she is, we’ll do well. This team will go as far as Stacey’s arm and a solid defense will take us.”
That solid defense starts in center field where Bloom is ready to patrol as a starter for her fourth season which included the first state title run. Clark has spent the last two years in left field and will move to shortstop this season to bring more stability to the infield.
“Our strength is our senior leadership,” noted Leigey. We really have a senior oriented team. I think of us at times as young because we are a little young at game experience, but we could have six seniors in the starting line-up.”
Backing Johnson, Bloom and Clark on the defensive card will be seniors Macy Palmer at catcher, Lindsay Barrett at first base, and Rachel Holland who will split time with Junior Katie Wriglesworth in left field. The rest of the positions find sophomores Molly Demchak at third base and Madison Peterman in right field while freshman Cheyenne Pentz starts at second base. Demchak and Barrett were also on last year’s winning roster. The reserves for the 15-player varsity squad include sophomore Hannah Bressler and freshmen Abby Johnson, Sarah Wriglesworth, Tiffany Carter and Emily McGarry.
“Defensively and offensively we are a pretty sound team,” said Leigey. “Demchak and Barrett both have been in the game in key situations and are battle tested.”
While the target may be on their back, it does appear that the 2010 Golden Tide Softball Team won’t make it an easy shot.
“I think we have the ability to be in every game,” said Leigey. “I can’t see any team we can’t compete with. We have to win the close games to really find our identity. If we play well, we can be in the district finals.”
Assisting Leigey this season will be Dave Clark while Zach Young and Ron Rea handle the junior varsity, and Mike Carter works with the junior high team.
Varsity & Junior Varsity Roster
Seniors: Lindsay Barrett, Tess Bloom, Sara Clark, Rachel Holland, Stacey Johnson, Macy Palmer.
Juniors: Natache Cobbs, Catelynn Fleming, Jayna Knepp, Carleigh Kuntz, Paige McCracken, Aubrey Prave, Michaela Shaw, Katie Wriglesworth.
Sophomores: Megan Barrett, Hannah Bressler, Molly Demchak, Michaela Magnuson, Madison Peterson, Ricki Wells.
Freshmen: Rikki Bloom, Tiffany Carter, Abby Johnson, Tricia Laird, Emily McGarry, Cheyenne Pentz, Katrina Seaburn, Shelby Spencer, Sarah Wriglesworth.
Shedule
March
Day Opponent Time
30 BROCKWAY 4:15
April
06 @ Redbank Valley 4:15
08 @ Ridgway 4:00
13 JOHNSONBURG 4:15
15 @ Dubois Central 4:15
19 @ Sheffield 3:00 DH
21 @ Kane 4:15
22 @ Glendale 4:30
26 ELK CO. CATHOLIC 4:15
28 @ Brockway 4:15
30 WEST BRANCH 4:15
May
04 RIDGWAY 4:15
06 @ Johnsonburg 4:15
10 DUBOIS CENTRAL 4:15
12 HARMONY 4:15
14 @ Moshannon Valley 4:30
17 KANE 4:15
19 @ Elk Co. Catholic 4:15
20 PUNXSUTAWNEY 4:15