BELLES SOFTBALL
The Dixie Belles (ages 13-15) District 4 crown appears to be a wide open event prior to tournament play.
Neither Hernando nor Spring Hill excelled in this age group last year, but the field appears to have no clear favorite.
Hernando 101
HYL has struggled lately posting a combined 1-4 slate over the past two years in this age division.
In attempting to reverse the trend, Head Coach Paul Sinwelski’s 2010 club features: P/1B Sierra Cannon, 3B/OF/C Holly Field, SS/1B Shelbie Goodwin, C Allysyn Fraccica, C Jordan Huggins, OF/SS Destiny Hunter, P/3B Ashley McKay, OF/2B/P Jade Rivers, OF Ashley Sims, 1B/2B/P Emily Walters, 2B/P Jessica Werner and 1B Sheriden Worner.
Sinwelski’s assistant coaches are Tracey Werner and Donnie Cannon.
What adds intrigue is that HYL returns seven all-stars to fold including: Sierra Cannon, Goodwin, Huggins, McKay, Werner, Field and Walters.
“Our depth lies in our pitching,” noted Coach Sinwelski on his team’s strength. “We have diversity in our pitching; I like that.
“I like some other things including our outfield and I like the number of catchers we’ve got,” added Sinwelski. “It’ll keep them fresh in this heat.”
Biggest concern?
“I like to play small ball and play situational ball,” admitted Coach Sinwelski, who is used coaching the older Debs (ages 16-19) division. “It’s a little more work with this group. It’ll be a test to mesh two groups of kids: the kids that just turned 13 as opposed the girls about to turn 16.”
“It’s extremely important to establish ourselves. It’s good to build up confidence,” said Sinwelski, whose team opens with West Pasco at 6 p.m. on Friday. “I’m used coaching the older girls, so I don’t know the other teams. I don’t know what they’ll bring to the table.”
Spring Hill 101
Similar to HYL, Spring Hill’s Belles finished below .500 in 2009 at 1-2 overall.
This year’s Spring Hill team features: LF Alicia Antczak, 3B Danielle Cain, P/2B Mariah Crawford, C Brooke Fischbach, SS Kaitlyn Glynn, P Allison Lucky, 2B Brooke Majors, RF Amber Mayersky, 1B/P Katie McCarthy, P/1B Rachelle McClean, CF Rayanna Riecss and OF/INF Ashley Vera.
Chris Crawford and Kevin Riecss will assist Head Coach Brian McCarthy.
McCarthy doesn’t really know who the best Belles team is?
“I really don’t know,” said Coach McCarthy. “I know HYL has some good pitching, but after that I’m really not sure.”
Like HYL, Spring Hill is leaning on seven returning all-stars including: Katie McCarthy, Glynn, Fischbach, Majors, McClean, Mayersky and Vera.
“We have a lot of versatility with this team,” declared Coach McCarthy. “And they can run. We’ve got good team speed.”
Greatest concern?
“We need to take care of business,” said Coach McCarthy. “They’re all ballplayers. If these girls would relax we can compete with anyone. We’ve got the players; now it’s a matter of executing.”
Spring Hill opens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday against Wesley Chapel.
“I’ve told the girls to forget what uniform we’re facing and what name is on the back of the uniforms,” emphasized Coach McCarthy. “We’ve got to go out just compete, regardless of who it is.”
AT A GLANCE
WHAT – Dixie Youth League District 4 Girls Softball Tournament.
WHO – Four teams in four age divisions (Darlings (ages 7-8), Angels (ages 9-10), Ponytails (ages 11-12), Belles (ages 13-15) in a double elimination format featuring: Hernando (HYL), West Pasco, Wesley Chapel and host Spring Hill.
WHERE – Anderson Snow Sports Complex.
WHEN – June 17-21 (weather permitting).
AT STAKE – District champion advances to July 8-11 Florida State Dixie State Championship at the Belleview Sports Complex.
Hernando Belles (ages 13-15) All-Stars
PLAYER POSITION(S)
Sierra Canon P/1B
Holly Field 3B/OF/C
Shelbie Goodwin SS/1B
Allysyn Fraccica C
Jordan Huggins C
Destiny Hunter OF/SS
Ashley McKay P/3B
Jade Rivers OF/2B/P
Ashley Sims OF
Emily Walters 1B/2B/P
Jessica Werner 2B/P
Sheriden Worner 1B
Head Coach – Paul Sinwelski
Asst. Coach – Tracey Werner
Asst. Coach – Donnie Cannon
Spring Hill Belles (ages 13-15) All-Stars
PLAYER POSITION(S)
Alicia Antczak LF
Danielle Cain 3B
Mariah Crawford P/2B
Brooke Fischbach C
Kaitlyn Glynn SS
Allison Lucky P
Brooke Majors 2B
Amber Mayersky RF
Katie McCarthy 1B/P
Rachelle McClean P/1B
Rayanna Riecss CF
Ashley Vera OF/INF
Head Coach – Brian McCarthy
Asst. Coach – Chris Crawford
Asst. Coach – Kevin Riecss
Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at 352-544-5278 or online at [email protected].
