So. Nevada softball girls want it all, too

Leah Robinson

Friday, March 15, 2002 | 11:01 a.m.

With a 21-year basketball title drought finally behind them, Southern Nevada's girls have set their sights on wresting the 4A state softball championship from their northern counterparts.

Schools from Nevada's northern half have captured the trophy in 17 of the past 18 seasons. Only Clark's victory in 1993 interrupted the streak.

As the 2002 prep season opens, the same program that broke through in basketball also looks like the most likely to do so in softball.

Three-year-old Centennial High returns two of the area's top pitchers in Shannon Crisp and Amy Sauer from a squad that won 32 games a year ago.

Durango, which came within a whisker of taking the championship last year before falling to Wooster in back-to-back games on the season's final day, should remain in the hunt in the Sunset Region despite losing its top two pitchers, Tisha Salamino and Aja Sherman.

Bonanza, Palo Verde, Bishop Gorman and Cimarron-Memorial also could figure into the race on the west side.

In the Sunrise, perennial power Silverado remains the team to beat after losing just one varsity player to graduation. Pitcher Morgan Miller is among Southern Nevada's best, and veterans Emilee Moores and Lindsey Pridgen anchor a solid lineup.

Also expected to compete for a trip to state on the east side are Eldorado, Las Vegas, Green Valley and Basic.

Following is a look at Southern Nevada's 22 4A softball programs.

Sunrise Region

SOUTHEAST DIVISION

BASIC WOLVES

Coach: Bart Black (3rd year)

2001 Record: 13-9 (2nd Southeast, lost in regional tournament)

Top Players: Keri King, 3B, Jr.; Brittany Lorenzen, SS, Sr.; Sara Thomas, C, Jr.

Outlook: A thin pitching staff could see the Wolves taking some early lumps, but Black is more concerned with how the team ends up.

CORONADO COUGARS

Coach: Shari Buttweiler (1st year)

2001 Record: No team

Top Players: Jennifer Dalrample, P, So.; Brittany Loisel, P, Fr.; Nicole Meyer, 3B, Jr.; Candace Mikelsen, C, Jr.; Ashley Thompson, 2B, Jr.

Outlook: In their inaugural season, the Cougars could suprise the competition with some young but experienced club players. Some quality pitching prospects make this team a possible playoff contender.

FOOTHILL FALCONS

Coach: Brittany Cannavino (1st year)

2001 Record: 14-17 (4th Southeast, lost in state tournament)

Top Players: Roxanne Ritchie, P/OF, Jr.; Rebecca Ritchie, 2B, Jr.; Amanda Watson, OF, Jr.

Outlook: A young and inexperienced bench will leave the Falcons somewhat rudderless on the field. The team may struggle this year with both a new coach in Cannavino and a field full of underclassmen.

GREEN VALLEY GATORS

Coach: Jenn Dover (2nd year)

2001 Record: 15-16 (3rd Southeast, lost in state tournament)

Top Players: Trina Dorn, SS/3B, So.; Nikki Dorn, UT, So.; Meaghan Haley, P, Fr.; Jaimee Stethem, P, Jr.

Outlook: Losing five seniors to graduation shouldn't have a deep impact on this talented field of young guns. The Gators are off to a winning start and Dover is hopeful they'll return to postseason play.

SILVERADO SKYHAWKS

Coach: Chuck Pope (8th year)

2001 Record: 36-4 (1st Southeast, lost in state tournament)

Top Players: Morgan Miller, P, Jr.; Emilee Moores, OF, Sr.; Lindsey Pridgen, Inf, Jr.

Outlook: The Sunrise Region champs entered the 2001 state tournament with only two losses, then promptly lost their next two games for a disappointing end to their season.

NORTHEAST DIVISION

CHAPARRAL COWBOYS

Coach: Derryck Rickards (3rd year)

2001 Record: 4-18 (5th Southeast)

Top Players: Jessica Aguilar, OF, Jr.; Nicola Hovland, C, So.; Casey Patterson, P, So.; Darlene Willis, LF, Sr.

Outlook: The Cowboys will be looking to best last year's disappointing season. Rickards will count on Patterson for strength on the mound, but most of the outfield will be inexperienced. A division change to the Northeast could be a benefit.

DESERT PINES JAGUARS

Coach: Patrick Winters (1st year)

2001 Record: 0-18 (5th Northeast)

Top Players: Serenity Luna, P, Sr.; Andrea Shepherd, C, Sr.; Maria Shoals, CF, Jr.

Outlook: Up is the only direction this program can go from last year. First-year coach Winters is simply looking to best last year's losing record and help his team master fundamentals.

ELDORADO SUNDEVILS

Coach: Anthony Elliott (2nd year)

2001 Record: 23-11 (1st Northeast, lost in state tournament)

Top Players: Brently Bridgeforth, P, Sr.; April Keith, SS, Sr.; Stephanie Ollila, P, Sr.; Jill Thompson, CF, Sr. Michelle Walsh, 2B, So.

Outlook: Sundevil hopes are high this season with seven returning starters and strong pitching. In fact, senior Bridgeforth figures as one of the best ball slingers in the city, according to Elliott.

LAS VEGAS WILDCATS

Coach: Jeff Sarbacker (2nd year)

2001 Record: 20-15 (2nd Northeast, lost in regional tournament)

Top Players: Brieanna Kinard, P, Sr.; Ashley Ogle, OF, Sr.; Marsha Rollins, SS, Sr.; Lindsey Webb, C, Sr.;

Outlook: The Wildcats return most of last year's team, giving Sarbacker a wealth of senior experience to draw upon. The team is eying a division win with hopes of qualifying for state.

RANCHO RAMS

Coach: Cheryl Perry (1st year)

2001 Record: 3-20 (4th Northeast, lost in regional tournament)

Top Players: Shelly Council, 3B, Sr.; Jaime Neiry, OF, Sr.; Brittany Preston, C, So.; Jenny Sweeten, 1B, Sr.

Outlook: Rebounding from the loss of five starters to graduation, the Rams are cautiously optimistic. New coach Perry hints two new freshman pitching prospects could surprise the competition.

VALLEY VIKINGS

Coach: Daphne Brownson (1st year)

2001 Record: 6-15 (3rd Northeast, lost in regional tournament)

Top Players: Jennifer Garrett, C, Jr.; Sara Leavitt, P, Sr.; Jaime Moon, SS, Sr.

Outlook: A young and inexperienced team will make for a wait-and-see season for the Vikings. New coach Brownson will rely on Leavitt and Garrett to produce significant defense, but the offense will need to step up. "We'll strive for zone, but beyond that, I'm just not sure right now how far we can go," Brownson said.

Sunset Region

SOUTHWEST DIVISION

BISHOP GORMAN GAELS

Coach: Kelsey McCall (3rd year)

2001 Record: 7-18 (3rd Southwest, lost in regional tournament)

Top Players: Cassie Burks, C, Sr.; Theresa Leidlich, P, Jr.; Whitney Oliver, 2B, Jr.; Jamie Sullard, SS, Jr.; Maggie Hogan, 3B, Jr.; Stefanie Rizzi, OF, Jr.

Outlook: The Gaels are looking to best last year's finish and they'll rely on pitcher Liedlich to lead the way. McCall said his team has been focusing on the basics. "We're not going to get fancy, we just want to stay in the game." Although the team has only one senior, a bench full of juniors should provide enough experience to keep the Gaels competitive.

BONANZA BENGALS

Coach: Cheryl Speer (7th year)

2001 Record: 25-7 (2nd Southwest, lost in regional tournament)

Top Players: Kerrie Campbell, C, 3B, Sr.; Trisha DeSimone, P/1B/OF, Sr.

Outlook: The Bengals are basically starting over in the wake of losing five starting seniors, but a young, talented bench should keep them in the hunt. Speer's goals for the team include winning more than 20, losing fewer than 10 and keeping the team's batting average at .350.

CLARK CHARGERS

Coach: Ken Hamilton (3rd year)

2001 Record: 6-19 (4th Southwest, lost in regional tournament)

Top Players:Tish Bedaw, 1B, Sr.; Jodee Italiano, P, 3B, Sr.; Valerie Jimenez, C, Sr.; Marcy Lecker, OF, Jr.; Jessica Mysz, SS, Jr.

Outlook: New talent could turn out to be diamonds in the rough. Hamilton said this will be a "wait and see year" for his team, made up of mostly underclassmen now after losing six seniors. Clark will rely heavily on four-year starting pitcher Italiano.

DURANGO TRAILBLAZERS

Coach: Sandy Morgan (9th year)

2001 Record: 34-4 (1st Southwest, 4A state runner-up)

Top Players Stefanie Fisco, 3B, Sr.; Kristin Gilliland, P, Jr.; Amy Glicher, C, So.; Nikki Ortiz, SS, So. Sara Spenia, 2B, Sr.

Outlook: Gilliland steps up to fill the very big shoes left by the area's top pitching combination, Tisha Salimino and Aja Sherman, both of whom graduated. "She's our only experienced pitcher," Morgan said. "But she's been working hard and she's ready to go." The Blazer offense remains strong with returners Spenia, hit over .400 last season, and power hitter Fisco.

SIERRA VISTA LIONS

Coach: Kimberly Anthony (1st year)

2001 Record No team

Top Players: Jessica Laman, C, So.; Karlie O'Toole, 2B/3B, So.; Danielle Martinez, SS, So.; Jessica Martinez, 2B, Jr.; Jaime Meranto, 1B, So.; Jessica Wadsworth, P, Jr.

Outlook: New coach Anthony says she'd put up her team's hitting and defense against anybody's, but pitching is another story. The Lions' inaugural season will feature several experienced players, including former shortstop Wadsworth, who'll be on the mound instead. Anthony believes her team will be more competitive as Wadsworth hones her skills throughout the season.

WESTERN WARRIORS

Coach: Mark Chaput (2nd year)

2001 Record 0-18 (5th Southwest)

Top Players Margaret Gallia, SS, So.; Cassidy Ziegler, P, Jr.; Melissa Soucy, OF, Sr.; Crystal Smith, OF, Sr.; Ashley Valley, 3B, Sr.

Outlook: the Warriors are in for a tough fight in a division filled with tough competitors. Chaput hopes to get some wins under his belt early, but his inexperienced team could struggle this season.

NORTHWEST DIVISION

CENTENNIAL BULLDOGS

Coach: Cyndi Castro (3rd year)

2001 Record 32-6 (1st Northwest, lost in state tournament)

Top Players: Shannon Crisp, P, So.; Ashlee Dean, UT, Sr.; Maggie Livreri, C, Sr.; Amy Sauer, P, Sr.

Outlook: Crisp and Sauer return to hold down pitching duties, and they should have a solid infield behind them and capable bats on offense. Many are predicting the Bulldogs will improve on last year's gaudy win total, but Castro said it all depends on her team's dedication and commitment. "None of us are talking about state. We're just focusing on division right now," she said.

CHEYENNE DESERT SHIELDS

Coach: John Teran (1st year)

2001 Record: 13-15 (4th Northwest, lost in regional tournament)

Top Players: Suezette Alvarez, P, Jr.; Nicole Parque, OF, So.; Megan Whiteaker, 3B, OF, Jr.

Outlook: With a dearth of senior experience, the Desert Shields look to improve as the season progresses. First-year coach Teran will use this rebuilding year to develop his team's work ethic. "Wins and losses will take care of themselves in due time," he said.

CIMARRON-MEMORIAL SPARTANS

Coach: Robert Kowalski (2nd year)

2001 Record: 20-14 (2nd Northwest, lost in regional tournament)

Top Players: Kim Adams, P/OF, So.; Lindi Kennedy, SS, 3B, So.

Outlook: As if losing nine seniors to graduation wasn't bad enough, the Spartans also have lost starting pitcher Adams to an injury. She might be out the rest of the season. A young team with little varsity experience will have to step up. "We'll probably be weak for a while," Kowalski said.

MOJAVE RATTLERS

Coach: Karlye Leach (2nd year)

2001 Record: 7-12 (5th Northwest)

Top Players: Meredith Lyles, 1B, Sr.; Raissa Mata, SS, Sr.; Kaila Menz, 3B, Sr.; Bobbie Snell, OF, Sr.

Outlook: Twelve returners, several promising freshmen and a strong defense have the Rattlers eying a move up the division this season.

PALO VERDE PANTHERS

Coach: Jaime Ditto (1st year)

2001 Record: 16-14 (3rd Northwest, lost in regional tournament)

Top Players: Renee Dipuccio, P, Jr.; Jennifer Doering, 3B Sr.; Jennifer Huber, OF, Jr.

Outlook: Playing in one of the area's toughest divisions, the Panthers ill have to be on their game to push into the postseason. Dipuccio and a strong defense will determine how far the team can go.