Locals still trying to catch Wooster

Travis Massey and Spencer Patterson

Tuesday, March 20, 2001 | 9:48 a.m.

First the good news for Southern Nevada's prep softball squads: As the 2001 season opens, the area features its deepest pool of quality teams in years, with as many as eight squads in contention for regional crowns.

Now the bad news: It probably won't make any difference. With defending 4A state champion Wooster returning nearly every key player from last year's 41-2 squad -- including all three starting pitchers -- the Colts are all but a lock to extend the north's state title streak to eight years.

Southern Nevada's chances of breaking through at state also took a hit in the off-season, when two of the area's perennial powers unexpectedly lost their top pitchers. Bonanza's Christy Carrasco and Silverado's Keely Commerford and Jackie Kinsey all opted not to play softball this year, throwing a monkey wrench into their teams' plans for 2001.

Nevertheless, the Skyhawks should retain their stranglehold on the Southeast Division, with the team's overall talent level among the best in town.

The Bengals also shouldn't stumble far, with a star-studded lineup enough to help offset the loss of Carrasco and keep Bonanza afloat in the Southwest.

As the 2001 campaign gets underway, however, Durango looks like the team to beat in Las Vegas, thanks largely to the presence of hard-throwing pitchers Aja Sherman and Tisha Salamino. The Trailblazers should battle Bonanza for Southwest supremecy.

Cimarron and Centennial will likely butt heads in the Northwest, with both capable of going on to win the Sunset Region crown.

And in the Northeast, Eldorado should build on last year's success, with Las Vegas the only likely challenger to a Sundevil celebration atop the division.

Here is a look at Southern Nevada's 20 Class 4A programs, presented by division.

SOUTHEAST DIVISION

BASIC WOLVES

Coach: Bart Black (2nd year)

2000 Record: 14-13 (0-2 in Sunrise Tournament)

Top Players: Brittany Lorenzen, SS, Jr.; Marisa Marconi, 1B, Sr.; Vanessa Marquez, C, Sr.

Outlook: The Wolves take the field this year with several seasoned players and significant speed in the outfield. They may lack the pitching at this point to become an effective all-around team, however.

CHAPARRAL COWBOYS

Coach: Derryck Richards (2nd year)

2000 Record: 14-13 (1-2 in Sunrise Tournament)

Top Players: Megan Gilbert, P, Sr.; Allyn Hadfield, CF, Sr.; Darlene Willis, LF, Jr.

Outlook: Richards dusts off the plate with new talent, losing six seniors from last year's lineup. Gilbert, the returning pitcher, will be the backbone, while defense will be the main challenge for this young team shooting for a return to the playoffs.

FOOTHILL FALCONS

Coach: Tom Freese (2nd year)

2000 Record: 7-15

Top Players: Danielle Martinez, SS, Fr.; Jessica Martinez, 3B, So.; Rebecca Ritchie, 2B, So.; Roxanne Ritchie, OF, So.

Outlook: After going 0-8 in division play last year, Freese will continue to build his young program. Pitching is a major concern for the Falcons, who will try to stay in games with improved defense and hitting.

GREEN VALLEY GATORS

Coach: Jenn Dover (1st year)

2000 Record: 14-15 (1-2 in Sunrise Tournament)

Top Players: Trina Dorn, SS, Fr.; Alison Dunn, 1B, Sr.; Erika Twesme, 2B, Sr.

Outlook: Dover, a former Gator assistant, takes over for a program looking to reload after losing a strong senior class. Though an 0-3 start could be cause for concern, Green Valley should be in the hunt in a watered down Sunrise Region.

SILVERADO SKYHAWKS

Coach: Chuck Pope (7th year)

2000 Record: 34-10 (Sunrise Region champs, 3-2 in 4A State Tournament)

Top Players: Julie Brand, 3B, Jr.; Kassie Koenig, C, So.; Melissa Lundwall, OF/P, Jr.; Emilee Moores, 1B, Jr.; Lindsey Pridgen, SS, Sr.

Outlook: Despite losing two pitchers they expected to have back in 2001, the Skyhawks should once again be the class of the division. Three underclassmen -- Lundwall, sophomore Morgan Miller and freshman Crystal Harmon -- will fill out the rotation, but it's Silverado's potent offense that should grab most of the headlines this season.

NORTHEAST DIVISION

DESERT PINES JAGUARS

Coach: Felicia Gonzales (2nd year)

2000 Record: No varsity team

Top Players: Serenity Lund, P, Jr.; Amanda Maurer, 3B, Sr.

Outlook: After opting not to field a varsity squad in 2000, the Jaguars will look to build for the future in their first season.

ELDORADO SUNDEVILS

Coach: Anthony Elliott (1st year)

2000 Record: 26-11 (3-2 in Sunrise Tournament, 1-2 in 4A State Tournament) Top Players: Crystal Alspaugh, P/1B, Sr.; Brentley Bridgeforth, P/UT, Jr.; Tiffany Mathews, C, Sr.; Renee Gervais, 3B, Jr.

Outlook: Coming off a stellar 2000 campaign, the Sundevils won't sneak up on anybody this year. Alspaugh and Bridgeforth should be the region's top 1-2 pitching punch, and Mathews leads a defensive unit that won't give anything away in 2001.

LAS VEGAS WILDCATS

Coach: Jeff Sarbacker (1st year)

2000 Record: 17-16 (3-2 in Sunrise Tournament)

Top Players: Danielle Dugan, 2B, Jr.; Brieanna Kinnard, P, Jr.; Ashley Ogle, OF, Jr.; Marsha Rollins, SS, Jr.; Lyndsey Webb, C, Jr.

Outlook: The Wildcats return most of last year's team, giving Sarbacker hope his team can challenge for one of the east side's three state berths. Webb is one of Southern Nevada's best behind the dish.

RANCHO RAMS

Coach: Cofoid High (3rd year)

2000 Record: 4-17 (0-2 in Sunrise Tournament)

Top Players: Hilary Blackburn, P/1B, Sr.; Felicia Hastings, C, Sr.; Jackie Wohlever, CF, Sr.

Outlook: Starting pitcher Becca Monroe moved to Nebraska in the offseason, leaving mound duties in the hands of freshman Brittany Preston and Blackburn, a converted first baseman.

VALLEY VIKINGS

Coach: Andrew Risheg (1st year)

2000 Record: 13-18 (2-2 in Sunrise Tournament)

Top Players: Alicia Frei, CF, Jr.; Val Hurtado, 1B, Sr.; Sarah Leavitt, P, Jr.; Jamie Moon, SS, Jr.

Outlook: With Leavitt back after a solid sophomore campaign, the Vikings should be competitive in the division. A stingy defense could help offset a lack of offensive firewpower.

SOUTHWEST DIVISION

BISHOP GORMAN GAELS

Coach: Kelsey McCall (2nd year)

2000 Record: 6-19 (0-2 in Sunset Tournament)

Top Players: Cassie Burks, C, Jr.; Theresa Liedlich, P, So.; Alisha Molina, OF, So.; Brianne Ulivarri, SS, Sr.

Outlook: Liedlich should keep the Gaels in most games, but a defense that has already committed 13 errors in a contest this season could be the team's undoing. Burks should provide stability behind the plate.

BONANZA BENGALS

Coach: Cheryl Speer (5th year)

2000 Record: 23-6 (2-2 in Sunset Tournament)

Top Players: Sarah Bausher, SS, Sr.; Alicia Ciabeuter, P, Jr.; Trisha DeSimone, P, Jr.; Katie Kaempfer, C, Sr.; Ashley Mauro, OF, Sr.; Ashlie Vohs, OF/C, Sr.

Outlook: The Bengals took a big hit when Carrasco opted not to play, but should remain in the hunt thanks to a high-powered offense led by all-state performers Bausher and Kaempfer. Bonanza will need to get consistent production from its young pitching staff to advance to state, however.

CLARK CHARGERS

Coach: Ken Hamilton (2nd year)

2000 Record: 11-22 (1-2 in Sunset Tournament)

Top Players: Joanne Laman, SS, Sr.; Jodee Italiano, OF, Sr.; Stephanie Maldonado, OF, Sr.

Outlook: Italiano -- a three-year starting pitcher -- will anchor a young team looking to challenge division powers Bonanza and Durango in the Southwest.

DURANGO TRAILBLAZERS

Coach: Sandy Morgan (8th year)

2000 Record: 28-16 (4-2 in Sunset Tournament, 4A State runner-ups)

Top Players: Toni DelToro, 1B, Sr.; Courtney Dilts, CF, Sr.; Stefanie Fisco, 3B, Jr.; Tisha Salamino, P, Sr.; Aja Sherman, P, Sr.

Outlook: The preseason favorites in Southern Nevada, the Blazers boast the area's top pitching combination in Salamino and Sherman, along with a high-octane offense spearheaded by the power-hitting Fisco. Whether this team can challenge Wooster come state tourney time remains to be seen, though.

WESTERN WARRIORS

Coach: Mark Chaput (1st year)

2000 Record: 2-20

Top Players: Brandy Adams, C, Sr.; Margaret Gallia, 3B, Fr.; Carly Reeves, 1B, Sr.; Rebekah Saloman, SS, Sr.

Outlook: With a freshman handling pitching duties and an error-prone defense, Chaput could have his work cut out for him in year one.

NORTHWEST REGION

CENTENNIAL BULLDOGS

Coach: Cyndi Parus (2nd year)

2000 Record: 28-10 (Sunset Region champs, 2-2 in 4A State Tournament)

Top Players: Amy Sauer, P/1B, Jr.; Ashlee Dean, CF, Jr.; Dani Delgado, SS, So.; Maggie Livreri, C, Jr.

Outlook: The Bulldogs busted out of the gates with a strong inaugural campaign, and should best last year's mark with a strong core of returners back in the fold. Sauer is one of the area's top pitchers, and Centennial has a deep lineup capable of winning division, and possibly region, titles.

CHEYENNE DESERT SHIELDS

Coach: Scott Belnap (2nd year)

2000 Record: 10-15 (0-2 in Sunset Tournament)

Top Players: Cassiopeia Hood, P, Sr.; Jessica Leavitt, 2B/SS, Sr.; Megan Whiteaker, 3B, So.

Outlook: Hood returns to hold down pitching duties, and should have a solid infield behind her. The Shields are inexperienced at several positions, however, and will need to find more offense as the season progresses.

CIMARRON-MEMORIAL SPARTANS

Coach: Robert Kowalski (1st year)

2000 Record: 24-12 (3-2 in Sunset Tournament)

Top Players: Kim Adams, P/1B, Fr.; Jaime Hughes, P/C, Sr.; Kristen Jasper, P/ C, Sr.; Victoria Morache, CF, Sr.

Outlook: Already pitching rich with Hughes and Jasper back, the Spartans add Adams -- a hard-throwing freshman -- to their rotation. With newcomers at several key positions, look for Cimarron to improve over the course of the season, with Kowalski hoping they peak at the right time to make a postseason run.

MOJAVE RATTLERS

Coach: Karlye Leach (1st year)

2000 Record: 0-18

Top Players: Jackie Hafen, CF, Sr.; Tonya Hafen, 2B, Jr.; Kaila Menz, 3B, Jr.; Trish Shields, LF, Sr.

Outlook: With one win under their belts, the Rattlers have already bested last season's victory total. Now, they'll see if they can grab the division's final playoff spot.

PALO VERDE PANTHERS

Coach: Lisa Campbell (3rd year)

2000 Record: 12-14 (1-2 in Sunset Tournament)

Top Players: Renne DiPuccio, P, So.; Jen Doering, 1B, Jr.; Rachel Gonzales, 3B, Jr.; Dusti Roberts, SS, Sr.; Nikki Rose, 2B, Sr.

Outlook: The Panthers lost several key performers to graduation, but return a strong nucleus, including all-division shortstop Roberts to anchor the infield. As DiPuccio improves on the mound, so should Palo Verde, with a strong playoff run a possibility at season's end.

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