[FONT="]EYES WIDE SHUT [/FONT]
[FONT="]SIDELINER?S FEARLESS PREDICTIONS FOR 2012 OCC CARDINAL DIVISION SOFTBALL RACE[/FONT]
[FONT="]It is way before pre-season, but with a few days off, I pulled out last year?s scorebook and pre-season newspaper articles on the teams, and bumped that up against post-season honors and finishes. Then I started to do a bit of analyzing on how the 2012 season might shape up.[/FONT]
[FONT="]I will post my historical analysis first, then cap it off with predictions and reasoning.[/FONT]
[FONT="]There are MANY unknowns ? especially what freshman talent might be joining any school team. It is possible that some players from last year may not return, either by opting out of playing, injury, or simply moving. So, I made my calculations based on what I ?think I know? from last year?s finish and potential returnees. If you know something that I don?t know then feel free to share ? or don?t share. I didn?t write this as anything other than a way to amuse myself and look forward to next spring with a bit more analysis than the standard ?they should be tough? statements. So take this in the spirit it was written, a guess based on evidence from last year and not a statement of fact. I didn?t talk to any coaches or players, just myself (which is a sign that I need to retire).[/FONT]
[FONT="]I attempted to list all returning players who had OCC honors? many of these players also received All-Metro recognition. SM means Special Mention and HM means Honorable Mention.
[/FONT] [FONT="]ANALYSIS[/FONT]
[FONT="]WESTERVILLE NORTH[/FONT]
[FONT="]With nine seniors and a total of 12 returning players from last year?s varsity, North has a seasoned squad. The addition of a bumper crop of freshman (more than a dozen) and large group of JV returnees from last year gives North the depth and bench strength it has lacked in years past. Only two starters graduated in 2011. Alli Rowland (1st team OCC) returns to the circle and will likely throw to fellow 1st team OCC selection Tory Speakman. Lilly Gresh (1st team OCC) anchors a group with three other girls who also received OCC honors in 2011 (Lisa Simmons ? 2nd team, Sami Dustman - SM, Victoria Schaffer - HM). The Warriors had five girls hit for over .300 average last spring. The team has to stay healthy, and win the close games to climb to the top again.[/FONT]
[FONT="]2011 FINISH ? 11-3 (tie 1st)[/FONT]
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[FONT="]MARYSVILLE[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Monarchs will be a threat to win their fourth straight OCC Cardinal title, and will have to beat Westerville North to accomplish that feat. Two of their three conference losses last year were to the Warriors. Marysville had a small graduating class last year ? only three regular varsity players departed. The pitching duties will likely default to sophomore Cori Long (HM-OCC) who will throw to senior Olivia Kriel (SM- OCC). Senior OF Kacie Sepeda (1st team OCC) will lead the hitting attack, and with the exception of third base the entire infield returns. This is a very experienced team that has the potential to repeat.[/FONT]
[FONT="]2011 FINISH ? 11-3 (tie 1st)[/FONT]
[FONT="]OLENTANGY[/FONT]
[FONT="]Only three starters graduated from Olentangy?s roster last spring, and the Braves return an experienced squad for the 2012 campaign. The catcher?s spot will be the key replacement piece ? senior Haleigh Breuer (1st team OCC) will lead the pitching staff and the 2011 infield starters 1B Dani Bigham, SS Amanda Wojta, 3B Megan Biedelman (SM ? OCC), and DP/P Hailey Wilson (HM - OCC) return. The Braves have consistently played the role of spoiler by splitting their series with both Westerville North and Marysville last year, beating both teams late in the season to add drama to the finish.[/FONT]
[FONT="]2011 FINISH ? 9-5 (tie 3rd)[/FONT]
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[FONT="]WESTERVILLE CENTRAL[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Warhawks will have to reload after being hit hard by graduation. Sophomore Paige McMenemy (2nd team OCC) will probably own the circle, and Central will be using new players in most positions. Three other players with varsity innings, junior CF Perry Wallinger (HM OCC) and seniors Meredith Bury (3B) and Andy Lowe (C) return. Central graduated six seniors in 2011.[/FONT]
[FONT="]2011 FINISH ? 9-5 (tie 3rd)[/FONT]
[FONT="]WESTERVILLE SOUTH[/FONT]
[FONT="]Six seniors, including the starting pitcher, graduated last year, and South will have to continue to find ways to put puzzle pieces together. Two OCC selections, 1st team Erica Aiello (SS) and 2nd team Lindsay Gerhart (OF) return. Chelsea Raker (P/3P) is a legitimate power hitter. Leah Ross may also see time at pitcher, joining a group of nine total returning varsity players.[/FONT]
[FONT="]2011 FINISH ? 7-7 (5th)[/FONT]
[FONT="]OLENTANGY LIBERTY[/FONT]
[FONT="]The Patriots will be looking to replace the top third of their batting order this year, but return some pitching depth with sophomores Katie Flanagan and Hannah Worth. Also back is 1B Sarah Drosos (2nd team OCC), 3B Aoife Duffy, OF Ashley Kelley, and SS Madison Kadlic. Liberty had powered to a conference co-championship in 2010, but has finished in the middle of the pack in surrounding years (6th in 2011, 5th in 2009). Six seniors did graduate, with most having significant playing time. Expect to see experienced players in new positions and new players on the field as the varsity restocks the shelves.[/FONT]
[FONT="]2011 FINISH ? 6-8 (6th)[/FONT]
[FONT="]DUBLIN SCIOTO[/FONT]
[FONT="]Scioto did not field a JV team last year and only graduated a few seniors. The undergraduate crop got plenty of playing time last season, and can return with a more optimistic take on 2012. Mackenzie Nelson (2nd team OCC) and Paige Heasley (HM OCC) will again likely alternate pitching and 1st base duties, and Katie Pezzot will catch. Allie Willman got innings at shortstop and OF Katie Devantier occupied a top lineup spot in the batting order. Third base and an outfield spot vacated by two seniors will see new faces. Scioto has not been able to put together a strong showing the last few years excepting a 5-9 finish in 2010. This year?s experienced squad could finally be the ticket to the top half of the conference standings.[/FONT]
[FONT="]2011 FINISH ? 2-12 (7th)[/FONT]
[FONT="]DUBLIN JEROME[/FONT]
[FONT="]New coach Jim Muessig takes over the Dublin Jerome squad that has not been able to convert experience into wins over the last three years. Kelsey Ciminillo will own the circle again with the exception of 2nd base all Jerome starters were underclassman last season. (My scorebook shows that players rotated positions so I won?t name positions.) The program had also fielded a JV team last year after having low numbers in 2010. The Celtics squad will not lack for players with field time ? they just have to find consistency in fielding and hitting to boost their finish in the conference.[/FONT]
[FONT="]2011 FINISH ? 1-13 (8th)[/FONT]