CYANMAGENTAYELLOWBLACK

B4 – Saturday, March 28, 2009 SPORTS www.thedailyjournal.com/sports The Daily Journal

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Dana Parks
Vineland, Millville, Sacred Vineland
April
2009 SOFTBALL SCHEDULES
30
May
4
at Kingsway

Highland 4pm
4pm

Vineland
YEAR: Senior
THE SKINNY:
The speedy
Heart and Delsea among best 3
6
7
9
11
Millville
at Mainland
at Atlantic City
Absegami
4pm
4pm
4pm
4pm
at Red Devil Tourn. TBA
6
8
11
13
14
Schalick
Clearview
at Deptford
Cumberland Reg.
at Glassboro
4pm
4pm
4pm
4pm
4pm
center fielder By TOM McGURK shouldn’t experience any drop off where Gheysens and Benson roam, 15 at Hammonton 4pm 18 Gloucester City 4pm
17 Oakcrest 4pm 20 at Clearview 3:45pm
is the reigning Staff Writer in 2009. In fact, Buena could sur- Baker behind the plate and Urban 18 at Red Devil Tourn. TBA
Daily Journal pass last year’s 14-win plateau. and Dowd on the left side of the 22 Oakcrest 4pm
tmcgurk@thedailyjournal.com 20 at Ocean City 4pm
Player of the The Chiefs are blessed with a deep infield. Gheysens is the table setter 23 at Egg Harbor Twp. 4pm
Year. Cumberland Regional
Here’s a look at the soft- pitching rotation with Goeller, Law- in the lineup after compiling a .312 25 Hammonton Invitational -
son and Scott. Look for Colon to batting average and a .400 on-base Bordentown 10:30 a.m. April
ball teams from the 26 at Hammonton Inv. TBA 1 Kingsway 4pm
continue to blossom into one of the percentage last season. Benson,
greater Cumberland Coun- area’s most feared hitters and. Baker and Matias will be counted
27 at Millville 4pm 3 at Highland 4pm
Maritza Jimenez ty area: Watch for Buena to use its speed on to clean up in the heart of the
29
30
Mainland
at West Deptford
4pm
4pm
8
13
at Williamstown
Salem
4pm
11am
Vineland to create havoc for opponents and order. Pitching depth could be a May 14 Clearview 4pm
YEAR: Senior VINELAND rely on solid fundamentals to problem as well as inexperience at 1
4
Atlantic City
at Absegami
4pm
4pm
16
17
Delsea
at Schalick
4pm
4pm
THE SKINNY: make a difference in the win col- certain spots through the lineup.
Coach: Alex Gomez (1st season) umn. Prediction: Look for Schalick to 6 Egg Harbor Twp. 4pm 23 at Deptford 4pm
The third Conference: CAL American I 7 Hammonton 4pm 25 Colt Classic 10:30am
baseman won Prediction: There might not be a hover around the .500 mark again 11 at Oakcrest 4pm 25 Colt Classic 12:45pm
Group: IV South championship in line for Buena this season. If some of the younger
the area’s 12 at Kingsway 4pm 27 at Kingsway 4pm
Last year: 17-6, playoff qualifier this spring, but the Chiefs are players thrive in their new sur- 13 Ocean City 4pm 29 Highland 4pm
triple crown Returning starters: 8 16 Wildwood Catholic 11am May
including a always a lock for a winning season roundings, the team could make a
Key players: Dana Parks (Sr., CF), and a playoff berth. If Buena can push for the playoffs. If that doesn’t 16 Sacred Heart 1pm 1 at Camden 4pm
.591 average Maritza Jimenez (Sr., SS), continue to show the ability to 6 Wildwood 4pm
happen, the Cougars should begin
LeAnne Miller (Sr., P), Rachel master the fundamentals, the to construct a solid base for 2010. Millville 7
8
Woodrow Wilson
Deptford
4pm
4pm
Forte (Jr., Util.), Elle Rivera (Sr., Chiefs could make some noise April
11 at Clearview 4pm
Arielle Bruno OF), Alysa Romero (So., 3B), with a relatively young team.
Hillary Rodriguez (Jr., C), Liane DELSEA 1
3
Ocean City
at Vineland
4pm
4pm 13 at Delsea 4pm
14 at GCIT 4pm
Sacred Heart Drastal (Jr., P/1B), Rebecca Year- Coach: Scott Gutelius (2nd sea-
4 Ron Vinick Tourn. 10am
18 Woodstown 4pm
YEAR: Junior by (Sr., P/1B). SACRED HEART son, 10-8)
6 at Atlantic City 4pm
20 Williamstown 4pm
8 Egg Harbor Twp. 4pm
THE SKINNY: Top newcomers: Amanda Gille- Coach: Les Olson (6th season, Conference: Tri-County Royal 22 Pennsville 4pm
15 at Oakcrest 4pm
The junior set spie (So., IF/OF), Omarie Quiles 91-49) Group: III South 17 at Absegami 4pm
Schalick
a school (Jr., OF), Desiree Rivera (Sr., 2B). Conference: CAL National II Last year: 10-8, playoff qualifier 18 at Overbrook Tourn. TBA
20 Hammonton 4pm April
record for hits Outlook: The sky appears to be Group: Non-Public B South Returning starters: 9 1 Gloucester City 4pm
in a season 21 at Cherokee 4pm
the limit for the Fighting Clan. All Last year: 18-10, playoff qualifier Key players: Allison Pfrommer 22 Mainland 4pm 3 at Clayton 4pm
with 45; owns the ingredients — pitching, hitting Returning starters: 7 (Sr., P/1B); Lauren O’Rourke (Sr., 24 at Ocean City 4pm 6 Pitman 4pm
83 career hits. and defense — are there to com- Key players: Arielle Bruno (Jr., 3B), Kait Weichmann (Sr., 2B); 25 at Overbrook Tourn. TBA 8 at Wildwood 4:30pm
plete a championship recipe. With SS); Kylie Kristovich (Jr., P); Demi Little (Sr., LF); Annie Zeil- 27 Vineland 4pm 9 at Salem 4pm
Parks, Jimenez and Romero, Janelle Rodriguez (Jr., C), Nic- 29 Atlantic City 4pm 14 Gloucester Catholic 4pm
man (Sr., CF); Amanda Schwegel 16 at Penns Grove 4pm
May
Kylie Kristovich Vineland has the ability to outslug hole Rouse (Sr., 1B/P); Allie
its opponents. However, with the Schmepp (Sr., CF); Ann Stringari
(Jr., RF); Jessica Zeilman (Jr., SS);
Tiffany Schemeley (So., 1B),
1 at Egg Harbor Twp. 4pm 17 Cumberland Reg. 4pm
4 Oakcrest 4pm 20 at Pitman 4pm
Sacred Heart hard-throwing, 17-game-winner (Jr., OF); Vanessa Caulford (So., Kristen Knorr (So. C). 8 at Mainland 4pm 22 Pennsville 4pm
YEAR: Junior Miller on the mound, three runs 2B); Clarissa Hayes (So., OF/P). Outlook: The Crusaders advanced 11 Absegami 4pm 24 at Gloucester City 4pm
THE SKINNY: might be enough to win most Top newcomers: Rachel Gavi- to the postseason for the first time 13 at Hammonton 4pm 29 Clayton 4pm
18 at Lenape 4pm May
The fireballer games. Vineland also has shown gan (Fr., 3B); Nicole Chillari (Fr., in 13 years last year. With nine 1 Woodstown 6:30pm
fanned 171 in the ability to do the little things it OF/C); Angela Pustizzi (Jr., OF). 21 Buena 4pm
starters returning, Delsea doesn’t 2 at Sacred Heart 6pm
126 innings takes to squeak out wins in tight Outlook: Expectations are running appear it will have to wait long for a 6 at Delsea 4pm
en route to 14 games. Don’t expect a dropoff with high at Sacred Heart and with return appearance. The team is
Buena 8 Salem 4pm
April 11 at GCIT 4pm
wins and a Gomez taking over the controls. good reason. The Lions return a loaded with experience and talent, 1 at St. Joseph 4pm
1.11 ERA. Gomez has been an assistant with solid lineup led by Bruno, one of 13 Glassboro 4pm
starting in the circle with Pfrommer, 3 Middle Twp. 4pm 15 Kingsway 4pm
the Clan for the last six years. the best hitters in South Jersey. who is the epitome of a crafty left- 4 at Ron Vinick Tourn. TBA 18 Wildwood 4:30pm
Prediction: Twenty wins? A CAL I The junior owns 83 hits, including hander. Knorr burst onto the season 6 at Cape May Tech 4pm 20 at Woodstown 4pm
Steph Labas title? A South Jersey Group 4 title? 30 for extra bases, and is quickly
Vineland appears to have the right approaching the school record for
with her bat and glove in 2008, hit- 7
8
Wildwood Catholic
Bridgeton
4pm
4pm
ting .482 and didn’t commit a sin- 11 at Red Devil Tourn. noon Bridgeton
Millville combination to check all three off career hits at 126. Bruno will move gle error at catcher. If Delsea can 15 Absegami 4pm April
YEAR: Senior its season to-do list. Anything less from her normal leadoff spot to the pick up the pace offensively, the 18 at Red Devil Tourn. TBA 1 Sacred Heart 4pm
THE SKINNY: than one of those three would be a No. 3 slot to give the heart of the Crusaders could definitely extend 22 at Lower Cape May 4pm 2 Holy Spirit 4pm
Compiled a huge disappointment for this tal- Lions’ order some major punch. their season into June. 23 OLMA 4pm 6 Wildwood Catholic 4pm
ented group. Sacred Heart also boasts a talent- Prediction: With perennial favorites 24 at Sacred Heart 4pm 8 at Buena 4pm
.427 batting 25 Highland 11am 17 at St. Joseph 11am
average and ed and deep pitching staff with Williamstown and Kingsway still 29 St. Joseph 4pm 20 at Middle Twp. 4pm
provides stellar MILLVILLE Kristovich, Rouse and Hayes. Kris- among the best in South Jersey, a 30 at Middle Twp. 4pm 22 Cape May Tech 4pm
work at the hot tovich is regarded as one of the Royal Division title could be tougher May 24 Lower Cape May 4pm
corner. Coach: Brooke Ewan-Dixon (6th area’s top aces. Rouse and to achieve than a sectional champi- 4 at Cape May Tech 4pm 27 at Holy Spirit 4pm
season, 83-46) Rodriguez add punch to a potent onship. However, Delsea appears to 6 at Bridgeton 4pm 28 St. Joseph 4pm
Conference: CAL American I lineup. Rodriguez is a hard-nosed have all talent to make a run at both 7 at Shawnee 4pm 29 Mainland 4pm
Group: IV South 8 Holy Spirit 4pm May
player who thrives behind the dish. titles this spring.
Maria Goeller Last year: 15-11, playoff qualifier After off-season knee surgery, 9
13
Woodstown
at OLMA
11am
4pm
4
6
at Wildwood Catholic
Buena
4pm
4pm
Returning starters: 6
Buena Rouse will likely shift from the hot
Key players: Steph Labas (Sr., corner to first base. Players to
OUR LADY OF MERCY 14 Oakcrest 4pm 8 at Sacred Heart 4pm
15 at Wildwood Catholic 4pm 9 at OLMA 4pm
YEAR: Senior 3B); Jess Atkinson (Sr., Util.), watch will be Stringari, who takes Coach: Don Mills (8th season) 18 Lower Cape May 4pm 13 at Clayton 4pm
THE SKINNY: McKenzie Shannon (Sr., C); Kel- over in the leadoff spot, along with Conference: CAL National II 20 Sacred Heart 4pm 14 Middle Twp. 4pm
Four-year lye DuVilla (Sr., OF), Katie Cox heavy-hitters Hayes and Gavigan. Group: Non-Public B South 21 at Millville 4pm 18 at Cape May Tech 4pm
starter has (Jr., P), Lauren Elbeuf (Jr., C/Util). Prediction: Many people believe Last year: 8-11 22 at Holy Spirit 4pm 20 at Lower Cape May 4pm
great arm; Returning starters: 7 21 OLMA 4pm
Top newcomers: Carol Hender- that Sacred Heart is the cream of
plays pitcher son (Jr., P/Util.), Laura Lokey (Fr., the crop in area softball. However, Key players: Shannon Catts (Sr., Sacred Heart
and centerfield 1B/OF); Kristin Trout (Fr., OF), do the Lions believe it? If Sacred CF), Nikki Curcione (Sr., P); Cait- April Our Lady of Mercy Ac.
for Chiefs. Michelle Baker (Jr., IF), Angela Heart can generate some confi- lyn Repa (So., 2B), Kaci Gummoe 1 at Bridgeton 4pm April
(Jr., C), Lauren Ricciuti (Sr., LF), 2 at Lower Cape May 4pm 7 Holy Spirit 4pm
Jackson (Fr., IF). dence in its play, the team will 3 St. Joseph 4pm 21 Sacred Heart 4pm
Outlook: With a solid nucleus and make a serious run at the confer- Julie Connor (Jr., Util.), Caitlin 6 at Middle Twp. 4pm 22 at Oakcrest 4pm
a steady presence inside the circle ence and sectional titles. McIntyre (Jr., OF). 8 Cape May Tech 4pm 23 at Buena 4pm
KEY GAMES returning, the Thunderbolts could Top newcomers: Tatum Nejmah 9 Holy Spirit 4pm 24 St. Joseph 4pm
be ready for a title run. Labas (.427 (Fr., Inf.), Caitlyn Cummins (Sr., 13 at Myrtle Beach Tour. TBA 25 OLMA Tournament 8:30am
■ Millville at Vineland, Fri- average, 35 hits, 24 RBIs) provides CUMBERLAND 3B), Colleen Fogarty (Jr., 3B). 21 at OLMA 4pm 28 Cape May Tech 4pm
22 at Wildwood Catholic 4pm 29 at Cape May Tech 4pm
day, 4 p.m. The rivalry expects the sock in the middle of the line- Coach: Judy McCullough Outlook: After suffering through 24 Buena 4pm 30 Lower Cape May 4pm
to be even more intense this up. Last season, Cox emerged as Conference: Tri-County Royal some growing pains last season, 25 Hammonton Invitational - May
spring since a conference title one of the top young hurlers in the Group: III South the Villagers hope bruises have Williamstown 12:30 5 at Holy Spirit 4pm
could be at stake for both area en route to 11 wins and 79 Last year: 7-11 turned into muscle. The squad May 6 at Middle Twp. 4pm
teams. The rematch will be strikeouts in 104 innings. She’ll Returning starters: 7 possesses a potent battery with 1 at St. Joseph 4pm 7 at Wildwood Catholic 4pm
April 27 at Millville. get the majority of the starts in Key players: Laura Tomasetti Curcione and Gummoe, a big time 2 Schalick 6pm 9 Bridgeton 10am
4 Middle Twp. 4pm 12 Wildwood Catholic 4pm
■ St. Joseph at Sacred 2009 and her durability will be (So., P), Amy Homan (Sr., CF), bat in Catts and a pepper pot at 6 at Cape May Tech 4pm 13 Buena 4pm
Heart, Friday, 4 p.m. Tough to tested. She’ll definitely benefit Nicolette Pizzo (Jr., OF/IF), Shay- second base in Repa. If the team 8 Bridgeton 4pm 14 at Lower Cape May 4pm
find a better pitching matchup from Millville’s defense. The Thun- na Perella (Jr., 3B), Alana Homan can generate consistency at the 9 at Palmyra Tourn. TBA 15 at Sacred Heart 6pm
than Kristovich vs. Pagano. derbolts thrive on their work with (Sr., 1B), Katelyn Whitesall (So., other positions, the team could 11 at Holy Spirit 4pm 19 Middle Twp. 4pm
The two teams will likely bat- the leather. One big change will be OF), Kasey Lesher (So., C). open some eyes this spring. 13 at Oakcrest 4pm 20 at St. Joseph 4pm
tle for conference and section- Nejmah has drawn some major 15 OLMA 6pm 21 at Bridgeton 4pm
at catcher where Elbeuf will put Top newcomers: Annmarie 16 at Vineland 1pm
al titles this spring. Rematch the gear on in place of Shannon, McPherson (Jr., OF), Megan attention in the preseason and 18 Wildwood Catholic 4pm
will be May 1 at St. Joseph. who will play first base as she Moore (So., SS), April Figueroa could be the top freshman in the 20 at Buena 4pm
Cumberland Christian
■ Buena at Sacred Heart, recovers from offseason surgery (Jr., 2B), Alyssa Mitchell (So., 2B), area. According to Mills, the 22 Lower Cape May 4pm March
April 24, 4 p.m. The Chiefs will biggest battle for a position is at 31 at Christian Academy 4pm
on her thumb. Keep an eye on a Kaitlyn Burlingame (Jr., 1B/P), April
look to regain the upperhand bumper crop of freshmen, includ- Courtney West (Sr., OF). third base where five players were Delsea 3 Gloucester Christian 4pm
against their rival after being ing Jackson and Trout, a duo that Outlook: If there’s a spoiler team vying for the starting role. April 7 at Atlantic Christian 4pm
swept last season. The could spark the top of the order. in the area, it’s Cumberland. The Prediction: With Sacred Heart and 1 Burlington City 4pm 9 Calvary Christian 3:30pm
rematch will be May 20 at Henderson looks to be the backup Colts possess some nice talent in St. Joseph battling for the pent- 3 at Williamstown 4pm 17 Christian Academy 4pm
Buena. behind Cox in the circle. house in the division, look for OLMA 6 Kingsway 4pm 18 at Glou. Christian 11am
their lineup, but competing in the 8 at Highland 4pm 21 Atlantic Christian 4pm
■ Hammonton Invitational, Prediction: If Millville develops rough-and-tough Royal Division is to land somewhere in the next tier 9 Paulsboro 4pm 23 at Baptist 4pm
April 25-26. Vineland and any consistency with its hitting (a a tough chore. Tomasetti, a hard- of teams.A playoff spot and double- 14 Deptford 4pm May
Sacred Heart both earned invi- weakness in 2008), the Thunder- throwing southpaw, should contin- digit wins aren’t out of the question, 16 at Cumberland Reg. 4pm 2 Pilgrim Academy 1pm
tations to this prestigious bolts will definitely be a team to ue to progress with experience especially if some of the younger 17 GCIT 4pm 11 at Kings Christian 4:15pm
event. Vineland will play Bor- watch. Twenty wins isn’t out of the and will benefit from a strong players develop quickly and the 20 Wildwood 4pm 12 TCHS 4:15pm
dentown at 10:30 while question and if that mark is defense especially with Lesher team can remain healthy. One 23 at Middle Twp. 4pm 18 Baptist 4:15pm
24 at Salem 4pm 19 at Pilgrim Ac. 4:15pm
Sacred Heart tangles with achieved, a major run in the tour- behind the dish. The Homan sis- potential pitfall? The team will play 25 Penns Grove 21 at Calvary Christian 4pm
Williamstown at 12:30. Semi- nament usually follows. ters along with Pizzo and Perella just one game before April 21. at OLMA Tournament 11am 26 Kings Christian 4:15pm
finals and finals will be on should put up gaudy offensive 29 Williamstown 4pm
Sunday. All games will be at BUENA numbers for the Colts. BRIDGETON prise in the preseason. The hard- hew (So., C), Leana Phillips (Jr.,
Hammonton High School. Prediction: Double-digit wins and
■ Williamstown at Delsea, Coach: Pam Pickett (21st season, a potential playoff berth are legiti- Coach: Andrew Bagley (1st season) nosed hurler will handle the pitch- P), Jessica Bradway (Jr., LF),
April 29. How far has the 416-126-1) Conference: CAL National I ing chores and hit No. 2 in the Amaris Watson (Jr., CF), Ashley
mate goals for the Colts. Don’t be order. Farrell brings speed to the Pinckney (Sr., RF).
Delsea program progressed? Conference: CAL National I Group: II South
surprised if the team knocks off top of the lineup while Chapman Top newcomers: Jessica Casmer
This meeting could go a long Group: II South Last year: 1-18
one of the big-time teams. and Wuzzardo provide the pop in (So., Inf.), Alyssa Stortz (So., Inf/P).
way in answering the ques- Last year: 14-10-1, playoff qualifier Returning starters: 5
tion. Williamstown will host Returning starters: 6 Key players: Salan Chapman (Sr., the heart of the order. Outlook: The Crusaders return a
the first game of the series on Key players: Gab Colon (Jr., C), SCHALICK Inf.), Sha’dasia Farrell (Jr., OF), Prediction: In a difficult league, solid nucleus especially in the
April 3. Christina Lawson (Sr., P/IF); Coach: Jami Musey-Lau (8th Meredith Wuzzardo (Jr., C), Bridgeton will take its lumps infield with Previti, Haney and
Maria Goeller (Sr., P/CF); Nico- season, 91-73) Meghan Peachey (Jr., OF), Casey against the premier teams. How- Parks and in the circle with
lette Hensel (Sr., OF), Alexis Gal- Conference: Tri-County Diamond Crispo (Sr., OF), Paige Burich (So., ever, the Bulldogs should be com- Phillips. While the core has playing
PLAYOFF INFO lagher (Sr., (1B/OF), Lindsay Hen- Group: I South Inf.), Leanne Boswell (So., Inf.). petitive in the remaining games. experience, many of the other
dricks (Sr., 1B/3B), Maria Last year: 8-12 Top newcomers: Shawnee Suttle Definitely look for an increase in positions will have to be filled with
Santiago (So., 2B), Karlie Gruccio Returning starters: 6 (Sr., Inf.), Magli Reyes (Sr., OF), the win column. inexperienced players. Bennett,
All teams with a .500 record or who also coached the girls’ bas-
(So., OF), Gina Rios (So., OF), Brit- Key players: Katie Gheysens (Sr., Kenly Soto (Sr., IF), Katrina McCul-
better after action on Friday, CUMBERLAND CHRISTIAN ketball program, takes over at the
tany Goeller (So., OF). OF), Leah Benson (Jr., OF); Aman- lough (Jr., OF), Kelsea Holton (So.,
May 8 qualify for the state helm.
Top newcomers: Brittany Scott da Matias (Jr., P/Ut.), Shana Inf.), Jackie Winrow (Fr., P). Coach: Christine Bennett (1st
tournament. Preliminary round Prediction: Cumberland Christ-
(Frosh, P/IF), Brittany Cooper (Fr., IF). Urban (Sr., SS), Mandy Dowd (Jr., Outlook: Bridgeton will have to season)
games begin May 19. Public ian looks to be competitive in the
Outlook: Rebuilding is never a 3B), Taylor Baker (Jr., C). deal with the growing pains that Conference: Tri-State Christian
sectional finals are slated for Tri-State Christian Athletic Con-
term associated with the Buena Top newcomers: Lindsey Van come with inexperience. While the Returning starters: 7
Friday, May 29. Public state ference and appears to have the
softball program. While the team Ehen (Fr., 1B). number of athletes in the program Key players: Robin Previti (Sr.,
semifinals and Non-Public ability to crack the .500 mark this
will need some younger players to Outlook: The Cougars return a solid has risen, the experience level has SS), Ashley Haney (Sr., 3B), Jes-
sectional finals will be June 2. season.
step up in key spots, the Chiefs nucleus especially in the outfield not. Winrow has been a bright sur- sica Parks (Sr., 2B), Emily May-
State finals are June 6.