Softball: Skyhawks ready for state

James Yodice

Tuesday, May 20, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Education and preparation.

Since Silverado High School was last in the state softball tournament 12 months ago, those two items have been at the top of the agenda of Skyhawks coach Chuck Pope.

Youth contributed to sloppy losses in the 1996 tournament, losses that drove Pope to take the appropriate measures.

He stacked the schedule this year with strong out-of-state programs in order to better prepare for the postseason, and he thinks it will pay off when this year's double-elimination event begins Thursday afternoon at Carson City.

The three-time defending Southern Conference zone champions play Reed in the first round.

"Last year, we were so young and we made some real critical errors," said Pope, whose team is 31-6. "I think because of our schedule, we are much more prepared this year to handle some of that pressure. Of course, that remains to be seen."

The education part of the equation ties in with the preparation. By adding some Arizona and California heavyweights to the schedule, Silverado's underclassmen would gain experience they otherwise couldn't get.

Five of the team's six losses were to teams outside Nevada. Bonanza was the only Nevada program to post a win over the Skyhawks.

The cornerstone to Silverado's chances are pitchers Meka Anderson (13-4, .37 ERA, 113 strikeouts in 112 innings) and Tiffany Finateri (14-1, .98 ERA, five saves).

"The key for both of them is that both struggle when we're behind," said Pope. "They get better as the game wears on."

Offensively, Silverado is led by sophomore shortstop April Arata (.371), sophomore outfielder Julia Yurek (.348, 29 RBIs, four home runs) and designated hitter Christi Moores (.357). But the Skyhawks' lineup is strong pretty much from top to bottom, and easy outs are hard to come by.

Bonanza (21-9) is making its first state appearance in the school's 20-year history. The Bengals had never even won a zone tournament game until last week. They lost 5-4 in the zone finals to Silverado.

"These girls should be ecstatic with what they've accomplished," said Bonanza coach Cheryl Speer, "but they were upset they didn't beat Silverado, that they didn't come through with that win. That's exactly (the type of attitude) we need going into state."

Bonanza battled back after losing in the first round at zone to the title game. That perseverance should benefit the Bengals, who face Douglas in the first round.

The Bengals' pitching staff is anchored by sophomore Jessica Smith and freshman Melissa Simerlink. Offensively, junior outfielders Rachael Milligan and Chrystal Stevens, along with sophomore shortstop Kelly Glass, are the team's best hitters. Sophomore second baseman Lindsey Johnston was outstanding during the zone tournament.

The health of senior shortstop Crissy Buck remains an issue for Green Valley (23-8). The Gators played without Buck on the final day of the zone tournament due to a quadricep injury aggravated earlier in the tournament against Basic.

Buck did not practice Monday, and has been receiving intensive treatment in an effort to be ready for Thursday's first-round matchup with defending state champion Galena.

"She's about 40 percent of my offense and 40 percent of my defense," Gators coach Cindi Davis said.

If Buck either misses the game or is less than 100 percent physically, others are going to have to fill in. That selected group includes junior first baseman Rachel Mohler, senior outfielder Jen Lee and junior pitcher Nicole Truax. Lee has been hot of late, earning all-tournament honors at zone.

Davis said it is important for Green Valley to have a strong start on Thursday.

"It would behoove us to take charge from the get-go," she said. "It's a matter of being disciplined, being aggressive, having constant momentum and keeping up the enthusiasm."

Davis pointed to the first four innings of Green Valley's zone matchup with Silverado as proof. The Gators dominated before faltering late.

"Our girls now understand that can win for us, if we can consistently keep that rage going," said Davis.

Eldorado, the fourth seed from Southern Nevada, meets the North's top seed, Carson City, in the first round. The Sundevils (23-6) must get plenty of good innings from senior pitcher Amanda Berg to go deep into the tournament.

The Sundevils gave up 31 runs in four zone games, so their offense must be equal to the task in Carson City.