La Salle-Peru softball makes adjustments in quest for regional, conference titles
La Salle-Peru softball makes adjustments in quest for regional, conference titles Shaw Local The La Salle-Peru softball team won 20 games last season and lost six. Kirkman is one of several experienced players back along with classmate Maddy Pangrcic, who is moving to third base from shortstop, junior center fielder Taylor Martyn, junior pitchers Evin Becker and Chloe Mitchell, junior Avah Moriartiy, who is taking over in left field, and junior Ava Lannen, who will move into a starting spot, likely first base. “We have a lot of returning players who have great attitudes and know the game of softball, but we also have a lot of first-year varsity players who are going to be great assets to the team ,” said Pangrcic, who earned Illinois Coaches Association Class 3A Third-Team All State last season. Moriarty is expected to be the leadoff hitter with Martyn (.461, 20 runs, 13 steals) in the No. 2 slot after earning ICA Third-Team All State last season. Pangrcic (.350, 17 RBIs, 17 runs, 9 doubles, 2 home runs) and Kirkman will hit in the third and fourth spots. “Our offense is going to be very important for us,” Pangrcic said.
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Pubblicato : 3 anni fa di Kevin Chlum in Sports
The La Salle-Peru softball team won 20 games last season and lost six.
However, one of those losses came in a regional final and several of the others cost the Cavaliers the Interstate Eight Conference championship.
L-P coach Randy Huebbe noticed the opposition used a similar pitcher strategy against the Cavs in all of those setbacks.
So, L-P’s returning players worked in the offseason to fix that part of their game.
“The girls really worked hard over the winter and really improved and made adjustments we felt we needed to after that loss to Sterling,” Huebbe said. “All of our losses were basically pitched the same way. We had to make some adjustments so that doesn’t happen to us again.”
With those adjustments made and a talented core back, the Cavs are aiming to win the conference and regional championships they fell short of last spring.
“I think we have a good shot at winning the conference and we should be very competitive in the postseason,” senior catcher Paige Kirkman said. “I would love to finish my high school career with at least a regional championship.”
Kirkman is one of several experienced players back along with classmate Maddy Pangrcic, who is moving to third base from shortstop, junior center fielder Taylor Martyn, junior pitchers Evin Becker and Chloe Mitchell, junior Avah Moriartiy, who is taking over in left field, and junior Ava Lannen, who will move into a starting spot, likely first base.
“We have a lot of returning players who have great attitudes and know the game of softball, but we also have a lot of first-year varsity players who are going to be great assets to the team,” said Pangrcic, who earned Illinois Coaches Association Class 3A Third-Team All State last season. “It is going to be really exciting to see everyone come together and play well together.”
A pair of sophomores are stepping into key roles as Ava Lambert takes over as the starting shortstop, while Addison Duttlinger will start in right field.
Freshman Callie Mertes will start at second base and see some innings in the pitching circle.
Senior Cassidy Anderson and junior Izzy Pohar are expected to be solid offensive contributors. Anderson may see time at first base.
“I think we will be a very balanced team,” Kirkman said. “We should be able to score a lot of runs and play solid defense.
“I expect we will put a lot of pressure on the opposing team. We will put the ball in play and force them to make plays. We didn’t make many errors last year and have a lot of players returning in key positions, so I think we’ll be tough to score on.”
Moriarty is expected to be the leadoff hitter with Martyn (.461, 20 runs, 13 steals) in the No. 2 slot after earning ICA Third-Team All State last season.
Pangrcic (.350, 17 RBIs, 17 runs, 9 doubles, 2 home runs) and Kirkman will hit in the third and fourth spots.
“Our offense is going to be very important for us,” Pangrcic said. “We have big hitters, but we also have very speedy players who we can count on to get on base all the time. There isn’t one player I wouldn’t trust to step in the box.”
The Cavs return their top two pitchers from last season in Becker (7-4, 2.88 ERA, 57 strikeouts, 75 innings pitched) and Mitchell (8-2, 2.73 ERA, 62 strikeouts, 66 innings), while Lannen also has experience. Lambert and Mertes will also contribute in the circle.
“We have five pitchers I feel could pitch on any other team,” Huebbe said. “Becker and Mitchell are coming back. Lannen is back and she’s really improved. Lambert looks really good. She has a lot of movement on her pitches. Mertes really surprised us. She throws some heat.”
Huebbe said he expects the defense to be solid behind his pitchers.
“Our outfielders are extremely fast and can go get it,” Huebbe said. “All around the infield, they have cannons.
“I like what I see so far.”
Temi: Softball, Peru