Softball Preview: South looks to end championship drought

Zack Hall

Monday, March 13, 2000 | 10:42 a.m.

1. Wooster

2. Reed

3. Galena

4. Durango

5. McQueen

6. Bonanza

7. Carson

8. Cimarron-Memorial

9. Silverado

10. Douglas

Teams are ranked jointly by the Las Vegas Sun and the Daily Sparks Tribune.

It has been seven years since any team from the south has been crowned large-school state softball champion.

In 1993 the Clark Chargers reigned supreme, but no southern team has been able to repeat the feat since. Last season, however, Silverado came within inches of beating the north's Galena in the state championship game.

Many local coaches believe that the south has caught up with the north and this could be the year that an area team breaks the ice.

"I think the teams in the south are right there, it's just a matter of us winning it," Durango coach Sandy Morgan said. "I think we're due."

So far, the Trailblazers look to be the south's best chance. Silverado, Cimarron-Memorial and Bonanza all may be able to reach that goal as well.

As the 2000 campaign gets under way, the talent in town appears to be lopsided. The Sunset Region claims three of the best teams in the valley -- the Trailblazers, Spartans and Bengals.

In the Sunrise, Eldorado, Basic and Green Valley may provide competition with four-time defending zone champion Silverado.

Not much power has shifted from last year but Centennial could surprise some teams with a core of good, young players.

Under Southern Nevada's new playoff format, four teams from each division will qualify for the separate Sunset and Sunrise Region tournaments. The top two finishers from each of those will advance to the state tournament, which will be played at Sunset Park this year.

Following is a team-by-team look at the area's softball programs:

BASIC WOLVES

Coach: Bart Black (1st year)

1999 Record: 17-14 (3rd Sunrise, lost in zone playoffs)

Top Players: Marisa Marconi, 1B, Jr.; Brittany Lorenzen, SS, So.; Jen Bowen, P, So.; Aleia Holm, OF, Sr.

Outlook: The Wolves surprised nearly everybody last season by beating Green Valley in the zone playoffs and most of that team is back. Basic returns nine seniors and has a very deep bench. Bowen proved valuable as a freshman last season and should only get better this season. If she does and all goes well, the Wolves could win the deepest division in town.

CHAPARRAL COWBOYS

Coach: Derryck Richards (1st year)

1999 Record: 16-14 (4th Sunrise, lost in zone playoffs)

Top Players: Stefani Fofi, SS, Sr., Anna Tomasiello, C, Sr., Tiffani Cunningham, P, Sr.

Outlook: Richards -- in his first year coaching softball -- inherits a team with five seniors, one sophomore and the rest juniors, so that experience can only help. Once again the Cowboys will have to scrap out each run. Fofi -- an honorable mention all-state performer -- is one of the best players in the city and will lead Chaparral.

FOOTHILL FALCONS

Coach: Tom Freese (1st year)

1999 Record: No team

Top Players: Roxanne Ritchie, CF, Fr.; Lindsay Tilton, SS, So.; Savannah Palmira, 2B, So.

Outlook: Outside of Palmira -- who was a starter at Basic in 1999 -- the Falcons have very little experience. Nine freshmen are on the roster, which could cause headaches for former Eldorado coach Freese.

GREEN VALLEY GATORS

Coach: John Culver (2nd year)

1999 Record: 26-9 (1st Sunrise, lost in zone playoffs)

Top Players: Katie Amoia, SS, Sr.; Becky Williams, 3B, Jr.; Erika Twesme, 2B, Jr.; Allison Dunne, 1B, Jr.

Outlook: The Gators had a great run last year before bowing out unexpectedly in the zone playoffs, but have lost conference pitcher of the year Renee Heitbrink and all-state catcher Kathy Waddilove. The Gators have six freshmen and two sophomores that make up a largely inexperienced, but talented, team.

SILVERADO SKYHAWKS

Coach: Chuck Pope (6th year)

1999 Record: 32-11 (2nd Sunrise, lost in state playoffs)

Top Players: Mindy Ogan, C, 2B; Bridgette Byrne, CF, Sr.; Keely Commerford, P, Jr.; Julie Brand, 3B, So.; Emilee Moores, 1B, So.

Outlook: A year ago, the Skyhawks were a few bounces away from being state champions. This season they'll have to replace five seniors and injured all-state outfielder Kristen Toner, who could miss the season after shoulder surgery. Byrne will be charged with replacing Toner and will lead off.

DESERT PINES JAGUARS

Coach: Felicia Gonzales (1st year)

1999 Record: No team

Top Players: Tiffany Castel, P, Fr.; Serenity Luna, C, So.; Amanda Maurer, SS, Jr.; Andrea Shephard, 1B, So.

Outlook: The Jaguars have a lot of young talent starting with Castel, who will be getting the bulk of the pitching work. Realistically, the Jags might be able to make the playoffs if for no other reason than they play in the thinnest region in the city.

ELDORADO SUNDEVILS

Coach: Ken Trujillo (1st year)

1999 Record: 8-8 (5th Sunrise

Top Players: Janelle Gervais, SS, Sr.; Tiffnay Mathews, C, Jr.; Renee Gervais, 3B, Jr.; Crystal Alspaugh, 1B-P; Jr.; Brantley Bridgeforth, P, Jr.

Outlook: Trujillo -- who also coaches Eldorado's football team -- inherits a very inexperienced team. "We're trying to get our kids to work well together and clean up any attitudes," he said. But he believes that if he can do that he has a team that can compete for the Sunrise crown. With only three seniors back, but with a host of players with ASA experience, the Sundevils should be one of the best teams in the division.

LAS VEGAS WILDCATS

Coach: Kevin Jones (3rd year)

1999 Record: 8-19 (7th Sunrise)

Top Players: Rachel Hirsch, P, Sr.; Adrianne Page, CF, Sr.; Lindsey Web, C, So.; Marsha Rollins, SS, So.; Lindsey DeSantiago, 3B, So.; Danielle Dugan, 2B, So.

Outlook: Las Vegas has a largely inexperienced lineup with five sophomores and a freshman but does have some veteran players. Hirsch will have to dominate if the Wildcats expect to be high in the league hierarchy. Dugan will anchor the infield but will be without her sister Kristine, who graduated. "I would be disappointed if we didn't finish at .500 or above," said Jones.

RANCHO RAMS

Coach: Cofoid High (2nd year)

1999 Record: 0-16 (8th Sunrise)

Top Players: Vanessa Gomez, SS, Sr.; Hillary Blackburn, 1B, Jr.; Amanda Olivas, 3B, Sr.; Michelle Coffman, CF, Sr.

Outlook: "We've improved 100 percent over last year," High said. Rancho returns nearly every player from last year's squad and that experience should help.

VALLEY VIKINGS

Coach: Lora Rodriguez (1st year)

1999 Record: 10-17 (6th Sunrise)

Top Players: Callie Payne, P, Sr.; Jen Walsh, CF, Sr.

Outlook: Valley returns two all-conference players in Payne and Walsh. However, the rest of the Vikings are inexperienced with only six upperclassmen on the roster. Still, Rodriguez believes they have a lot of potential.

BISHOP GORMAN GAELS

Coach: Kelsey McCall (1st year)

1999 Record: 15-14 (5th Sunset)

Top Players: Lisa Comastro, 3B, Sr.; Danielle Johnson, C, Jr.; Brianne Ulizzarri, RF, So.; Theresa Lidlich, P, Fr.; Alisha Molina, LF, Fr.

Outlook: With the loss of all-state performer Nicole Koval to graduation, the Gaels will have to turn to Lidlich, a freshman, to do the bulk of the pitching. The Gaels will rely on several freshmen in 2000. The Gaels are young and talented but they are still years away from being in the same class as Bonanza and Durango.

BONANZA BENGALS

Coach: Cheryl Speer (4th year)

1999 Record: 30-7 (1st Sunset, lost in state playoffs)

Top Players: Sara Bausher, SS, Jr.; Christy Carrasco, P, Jr.; Katie Kaempfer, C, Jr.

Outlook: The Bengals are loaded once again. With only one senior it is easy to make a mistake and think the Bengals are inexperienced; they have 10 returners from a team that was one of the best in the city last year. They are the only team that has more than one all-state player returning, with three back. Carrasco and Kaempfer are one of the best batteries in Vegas and Bausher's defense and hitting will lead the team. "They enjoy playing together. The kids never look down and always stick with it," said Speer.

CLARK CHARGERS

Coach: Ken Hamilton (1st year)

1999 Record: 13-13 (7th Sunset)

Top Players: Sabrina Dixon, C, Sr.; Ashley Ablahani, SS, Jr.; Joanne Laman, CF, Jr.; Jodee Italiano, P/OF, So.

Outlook: Without an experienced pitcher or much experience at any position it could be a long season for the Chargers.

DURANGO TRAILBLAZERS

Coach: Sandy Morgan (7th year)

1999 Record: 29-12 (2nd Sunset, lost in state playoffs)

Top Players: Tisha Salamino, P, Jr., Aja Sherman, P, Jr.; Theresa Workman, P, Jr.; Stefani Fisco, 3B, So.; Courtney Dilts, OF, Jr.; Heather Dehart, C, Jr.

Outlook: According to coaches around the city, the Trailblazers might be the best team in town. The Trailblazers' pitching depth is their strength, with three all-conference hurlers on the staff. Fisco, who hit a school-record 11 homers last season, should provide the power. Durango has no seniors but, like Bonanza, is very seasoned. Also, the Blazers add three players who starred for the ASA state champions last summer. "I've been here since the beginning of the program and player-for-player this is the strongest team that I have ever had," Morgan said.

WESTERN WARRIORS

Coach: Scott Leonard (2nd year)

1999 Record: 0-18 (9th Sunset)

Top Players: Arlene Luna, 3B, Sr.; Rhiannion Watters, SS, Sr.; Bekah Salomon, C/IF, Jr.; Randi Adams, C, Jr.

Outlook: The Warriors have fallen on tough times during the last few seasons. They haven't won a league game in more than three years and haven't won any game since 1997. Leonard said his team has improved and might surprise some teams this season.

CENTENNIAL BULLDOGS

Coach: Cyndi Parus (1st year)

1999 Record: No team

Top Players: Amy Sauer, P, So.; Maggi Livreri, C, So.; Nicki Olsen, OF, So.

Outlook: Parus left Valley to take the reins of the Bulldogs and should be able to compete with most teams right away. Sauer was an all-state performer for Mojave last year and will lead the pitching staff.

CHEYENNE DESERT SHIELD

Coach: Scott Belnap (1st year)

1999 Record: 9-17 (6th Sunset)

Top Players: Nicole Sessa, C/1B, Sr.; Kristen Miller, UT, Sr.; Rebecca Blood, SS/1B, Sr; Jaime Cross, P, Sr.

Outlook: First-year coach Belnap expects his team to be competitive with the top teams in the division this season. Miller and Blood anchor a good, quick defensive infield while Cross and Sessa should provide a good battery.

CIMARRON-MEMORIAL SPARTANS

Coach: Gary Kaempfer (4th year)

1999 Record: 23-12 (3rd Sunset, lost in state playoffs)

Top Players: Amber Aragon, SS, Sr.; Nicole Smiltie, C, Sr.; Reina Pulsipher P /OF, Sr.; Kristen Jasper, P/IF, Jr.; Jaime Hughes, P/IF, Jr.

Outlook: Aragon is a slick- fielding, big-hitting shortstop and the only returning all-state player from last year's team. Nine of 11 Spartans starters played on last year's team that reached the state tournament, but they will have to get past either Durango or Bonanza to get back there in 2000. "With the new divisional setup, hopefully we'll get back to state," said Kaempfer.

MOJAVE RATTLERS

Coach: Debbe Woods (1st year)

1999 Record: 8-20 (8th Sunset)

Top Players: Reina Schlect, 3B, Sr.; Jaime Schaifer, LF, Sr.; Krystal Casteel, P, Sr.; Ashely Bingham, 2B, Sr.

Outlook: Mojave will have to replace all-state pitcher Amy Sauer, who transferred to Centennial. Casteel -- a newcomer from California -- will have to take on the brunt of that load. The Rattlers have a strong infield led by Bingham and Schlect.

PALO VERDE PANTHERS

Coach: Lisa Campbell (2nd year)

1999 Record: 12-15 (4th, lost in zone playoffs)

Top Players: Nikki Rose, 2B, Jr.; Tanya Christion, LF, Sr.; Linzi Steaeth, P, Sr.

Outlook: The Panthers have two seniors and a solid group of juniors returning after a surprising opening year that placed Palo Verde in the zone playoffs. They must find a way to replace all-state pitcher Leslie Wocf, who moved to Arizona.