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SOFTBALL

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HCA's first-year Head Coach Ernie Chatman

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: February 6, 2009

Beginning Monday, the girls fast-pitch prep softball regular season returns to the county diamonds.
As always, the goal is the same - to be playing on Friday, April 24, the night of three possible district finales.
Here's a breakdown.

HCA: Is a sixth straight title asking too much?

Over the past five years, Hernando County public school softball has no answer for the accomplishments of the tiny private school, Hernando Christian Academy.
Starting with coaches Susan Seidemann (three seasons) and Sue Murphy (two seasons), the Lady Lions have collected an unprecedented five district championships in a row.
The burning question is will the 200-student HCA campus be able to generate its county-record sixth district softball crown?
After Murphy stepped down to concentrate on volleyball and basketball, enter Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame skipper Ernie Chatman.
Chatman comes in credentialed. He already holds the county mark for most fast-pitch softball games coached (184) and most wins (136).
In his six seasons at Hernando (1997-2002), he guided the Leopards to six straight winning seasons and four district championships.
Most importantly, in the Chrissy Hartley era, the Purple and Gold reached the coveted Final Four twice, finishing as high as state runner-up.
Success is something that has always followed Chatman.
But he'll take over an HCA program minus its two best pitchers (Mary Ellen Langley, Meredith Hanshaw) and its finest catcher (Langley).
Fortunately, All-County utility pick Heidi Riley (who hit .544 last year) returns and will take over behind the plate. Same for the talented Jackie Butler, who hit .526.
Shortstop Melissa Weaver (.469). Audra Allen, who hit .455, before hurting her shoulder, are  also back in the fold.
HCA hit an astronomical .408 as a team last year, out-scoring the opposition, 180-55 overall. Riley and Butler can mash with the best at this level. But they need help.
Unfortunately, the majority of HCA's players are still playing for Head Coach Trey Crawford's basketball team.
"It's kinda hard to speculate how we'll do," remarked Coach Chatman on how his team is shaping up. "Right now, we're seeking a new identity. Certainly we're inexperienced at pitcher right now. We need Alicia (Field) to perform. She'll be supplemented by freshman Remi Manuel and seventh-grader Courtney Riddle."
Expectations?
"We gonna shoot for the stars," insisted Chatman. "My expectations for this team are just as high as they have ever been. But we're gonna be playing 3A and 4A schools to help us better prepare for districts and possibly beyond.
"I really don't know how we will do," added Chatman. "Until all the kids are done with basketball."

Sharks: No sneaking up this time

A quick history lesson.
Before ex-Citrus High standout Mettina Maggiore arrived as head coach at Nature Coast Technical in 2008, the Sharks were a combined 11-54.
Maggiore and assistant coach Jug Olmstead were able to reverse the culture at NCT by compiling a county-best 19-6 won-lost slate last spring.
For their efforts, NCT earned its first-ever county championship as Maggiore was tabbed Coach of the Year by the Hernando Today.
NCT will be minus two significant pieces to last year's puzzle: All-County UTL pick Kaitlin Wadsworth and CF Jakara Willis, who both signed with Pasco-Hernando Community College.
Fortunately for Coach Couet (Maggiore married during the off-season, thus changing her name) the Sharks have  6 1/2 starters back led by All-County picks: 2B Lizzy Olmstead (.379), P Ashley Antczak (.326), C Jen Marshall (.351). Part-time starter OF Shawnna Henry (.379) and 1B Nikki Beverley (.333) each hit over .300.
As far as new additions, former middle school standouts, freshmen Alexis Adams, Kelsey McManus and Jeri Loffler add much needed depth.
The Sharks strength begins at the plate, where they hit .308 as a team last spring, out-scoring the opposition 177-69.
Behind a maturing Antczak on the hill and a gifted Marshall behind the dish forms the finest pitcher-catcher duo in the county. Olmstead's presence on the right side and the continued development of Mikayla Miller at 3B have helped stabilize the infield.
Replacing Wadsworth is critical. This year, Angie Gaffney, McManus and Loffler are all vying to fill the void. OF is also influx with Henry or Brooke Sager the leading candidates for critical CF slot.
The Sharks can not live on last year's laurels in a district they will not sneak up on this year.
"We definitely have Pasco as a goal," stated Coach Couet, as the team stands winless at 0-9 against the Dade City crew. "As far as districts, it could still be anybody's game. Right now, we really don't know what everybody has.
"We realize we're being hunted this year," added Couet. "We took a lot beating before turning this around. It's kinda nice when other coaches are picking us as one of the district's top teams. Still, we have to produce between the lines and live up to our expectations."

Eagles: Out from under Powell's shadow

For the past four seasons, F.W. Springstead has lived and breathed based on the performance of pitcher/first sacker Becky Powell.
Five Eagle seniors graduated from last spring's fine 17-8 squad including four-time All-County selection and last year's Hernando County Player of the Year, Powell. OF Samantha Boggs (.324) also enjoyed her finest season last year.
This year, seventh-year SHS Head Coach Craig Swartout (89-64 lifetime) has five starters back including three All-County selections: Jamie Lee Basinger (.321), Olivia D'Acunto (.372) and Shannon Cataldo (.263). Shelby Vacarro (.317) will again anchor 1B while Amanda Drawe (.280) takes over at the hot corner.
Four Eagle freshmen will all see significant playing time including: Lindsey Nigro, Brittany Martinez, Brittany Flannery and Lizzie Markidis.
Swartout believes this may be his finest defensive team since the 20-3 district championship team of 2003 with D'Acunto moving back to her original position, centerfield, to help stabilize the outfield. Even with strong-armed Basinger expected to do the bulk of the pitching, Cataldo switches to SS and Nigro takes over at 2B.
One of the biggest questions is whether the talented Martinez can take over and succeed in the sport's most demanding position?
Most importantly, what about replacing Powell's huge shadow on the hill, in the dugout and at the plate (.393 in 2008)?
"Overall, I think this is my best-ever defense," predicted Swartout. "We've got great athletes at most of the skill positions - that's a plus. Right now, I honestly don't see many holes. The freshmen we have can flat out play. This might be the best overall incoming class I've ever had."
What about districts?
"It's all about gathering information on other teams during the regular season," said Swartout. "When it comes to districts we just want to be competitive. For the most part, we always have.
"I see Pasco and Zephyrhills still at the top of the mountain,." declared Swartout. "It'll change when someone beats them. Dark horse-wise, Sunlake or Wiregrass could sneak up this year."

Leopards: Seven starters back

The good news for Hernando High is seven starters are back for fourth-year Head Coach Kevin Bittinger (47-30 lifetime). The bad news is seven starters are back from a 10-15 season of a year ago.
That win total represents the school's low water mark in 19 seasons of fast-pitch play surpassing 2003's 11-win season etched by Angie Svagerko.
HHS will attempt to compensate for the losses of three critical seniors from last year including: three-time All-County pitcher Ari Lowman and All-County middle infielder Katie Geiger (.230) and team's leading hitter last spring, All-County OF Jessica Kreider (.383).
On the plus side, Bittinger has seven starters back. After Kreider, Leopards return its other top six hitters including 1B Alexandra "Alex" Hayden (.339) and All-County CF Erica Maldonado (.338) and RF Kaitlin Killingsworth (.321). Twins Erica, Demi Maldonado have started three years on varsity level.
Newcomers include junior Sarah Whealdon, who takes over replacing Geiger at 2B. Junior C Katie Smith adds depth behind starting catcher Megan Platt.
HHS' strengths begin with Maldonado twins, who have already committed to Hillsborough CC in the fall. Unlike past HHS seasons, there are no real standouts. Team speed has improved. Ch'antia Sanders is not in the lineup for her bat (.205), but can pick it at the hot corner.
Like Swartout, Bittinger believes this might be his best-ever defensive team.
After Lowman went down at the midway point last year, pitchers Stephanie Sinwelski and Casey Bilodeau were forced into action. Looking back, that injury may have been a blessing giving the duo much needed experience at the varsity level.
If HHS is to rebound it must improve in two critical areas. The Purple and Gold dropped 4-of-5 1-run games last spring and hit a team-low .276 in the Bittinger era.
Plus, the Leopards must either pitch by committee or lean on somebody to take over No. 1 pitcher's slot replacing Lowman.
How will the Leopards fare?
"By the end of February we'll know were we stand," insisted Bittinger. "We play all the county teams right off the bat."
And in 4A-8?
"My two favorites are Pasco and Nature Coast," said Bittinger. "Both of them have the most coming back. I think Zephyrhills lost a lot of its best players. After that there's three teams that could be real competitive including us and Gulf."

Bears: Wanted! A Catcher

Central High wants to halt its seven-season losing skein.
The Lady Bears haven't posted an .above 500 season since 2001's 17-9 slate under Benny Martinez.
Second-year Head Coach Tyson Ellis graduated two seniors (C Brittany Rudy and UTL Gabby Roberts) from last year's county-low 6-14 squad.
The Bears expect seven starters back including its top three hitters: All-County infielder McKenzie Burns (.380), 1B/P Erica Yunka (.338) and UTL Gina Thompson (.262).
Speedster Keera McKenzie, who was ineligible last spring, is expected to fill a huge void in CF and compliments Burns at the top of the batting order.
Ellis believes his team's strength lies with its youthfulness and resiliency.
According to Ellis, Burns is the team's leader at SS. The right-hander also pitched the most innings last spring (76.2 innings) compiling a 1-9 won-lost slate. Ellis, however, would rather keep Burns at shortstop and leave the pitching duties to sophomore Samantha "Sam" Berberette.
The Bears also need to shore up its offensive punch. Last year, CHS was  out-scored 197-84 and posted the a county-worst .233 batting average.
Defensively, the Bears were simply too inconsistent, said Ellis.
The biggest questions entering the season is who will catch? The Bears have four candidates for the job, but to date no one has won the job out right.
Also, can Berberette be the No. 1 pitcher all season? That would help steady the infield's erratic play.
And when will Yunka be 100 percent after a pre-season bout with mononucleosis?
"We've got a lot more depth this year," explained Coach Ellis. "We don't have a JV team, so we kept 15 girls. Hopefully, during our classic games we'll be able to sort out who wants to play catcher.
"We're gonna miss Yunka for a while, so I'm expecting Brooke (Wardlow) to bat in the No. 5 hole for us. That's a big spot."
"I think offensively, we're going to be much better with Keera in the lineup complimenting Kensi (Burns)," added Ellis.
And 5A-7?
"River Ridge is loaded," declared Ellis. "They're still the team to beat. "And Land O'Lakes is pretty even with them. I'd much rather play Land O'Lakes for a shot at regionals than going against River Ridge like we did last year."

AT A GLANCE

CENTRAL BEARS
HEAD COACH - Tyson Ellis (2nd Year: 6-14).
LAST YEAR - 6-14 overall.
DISTRICT - 5A-7.
KEY LOSSES - C Brittany Rudy, OF/3B/SS Gabby Roberts.
KEY RETURNEES - Seven starters back including top three hitters All-County infielder McKenzie Burns (.380), 1B/P Erica Yunka (.338) and UTL Gina Thompson (.262).
KEY ADDITIONS - Speedster Keera McKenzie, who was ineligible last spring, fills a huge void in CF and compliments Burns at the top of the lineup.
STRENGTH - Team's youthfulness and resiliency. Burns was the team's leader at SS and team's best pitcher despite 1-9 won-lost slate.
SHORING UP - Bears out-scored 197-84 in 2008; CHS had county-worst .233 batting average; inconsistent defensive play.
OUTLOOK - Catching situation is a carousel. Can Sam Berberette be the No. 1 pitcher all season? When will Yunka be 100 percent after a bout with mono? When CHS finally solves Land O'Lakes, a regional playoff berth is available.

HERNANDO LEOPARDS
HEAD COACH - Kevin Bittinger (4th Year: 47-30 lifetime).
LAST YEAR - 10-15 overall.
DISTRICT - 4A-8.
KEY LOSSES - Three-time All-County pitcher Ari Lowman and All-County middle infielder Katie Geiger (.230) and team's leading hitter last spring, All-County OF Jessica Kreider (.383).
KEY RETURNEES - Seven starters back. After Kreider, Leopards return its top six hitters including 1B Alexandra "Alex" Hayden (.339) and All-County CF Erica Maldonado (.338) and RF Kaitlin Killingsworth (.321). Twins Erica, Demi Maldonado have started three years on varsity level.
KEY ADDITIONS - Junior Sarah Whealdon takes over replacing Geiger at 2B. Junior C Katie Smith adds depth behind starting catcher Megan Platt.
STRENGTH - Maldonado twins have already committed to Hillsborough CC in the fall. Unlike past HHS seasons, no real standouts. Team speed has improved. Ch'antia Sanders is not in the lineup for her bat (.205), but can pick it at the hot corner. Might be Bittinger's best defensive team.
SHORING UP - After Lowman went down at the midway point last year, pitchers Stephanie Sinwelski and Casey Bilodeau were forced into action. Looking back, that injury may have been a blessing giving the duo much needed experience at the varsity level.
OUTLOOK - HHS lost 4-of-5 1-run games last spring and hit a team-low .276 in the Bittinger era. Leopards must either pitch by committee or lean on somebody to take over No. 1 pitcher's slot replacing Lowman. Purple and Gold are in the brutal 4A-8 district. This team's best days may be at districts in Dade City.

NATURE COAST TECHNICAL SHARKS
HEAD COACH - Mettina Couet (2nd Year: 19-6 lifetime).
LAST YEAR - 19-6 overall.
DISTRICT - 4A-8.
KEY LOSSES - All-County UTL pick Kaitlin Wadsworth and CF Jakara Willis to PHCC.
KEY RETURNEES - Six and half starters back led by All-County picks: 2B Lizzy Olmstead (.379), P Ashley Antczak (.326), C Jen Marshall (.351). Part-time starter OF Shawnna Henry (.379) and 1B Nikki Beverley (.333) each hit over .300.
KEY ADDITIONS - Former middle school standouts, freshmen Alexis Adams, Kelsey McManus and Jeri Loffler add much needed depth.
STRENGTH - Sharks hit .308 as a team last spring, out scoring the opposition 177-69. Behind a maturing Antczak on the hill and a gifted Marshall behind the dish forms the finest pitcher-catcher duo in the county. Olmstead's presence on the right side and the continued development of Mikayla Miller at 3B have helped stabilize the infield.
SHORING UP - Wadsworth was underrated as a SS last year. His replacement is critical. This year, Angie Gaffney, McManus and Loffler are all vying to fill the void. OF is also influx with Henry or Brooke Sager the leading candidates for critical CF slot.
OUTLOOK - Steady pitching, tight defense and timely hitting paved the way to Coach Couet (she got married in the off-season) being named as the county's Coach of the Year. All those assets went out the door in the 4A-8 semifinal against Zephyrhills (a disappointing 9-3 loss). The defending Hernando County Champion Sharks, however, can not live on last year's laurels in a district they will not sneak up on this year. Still, NCT and Pasco should be playing in the 4A-8 final on April 24.

SPRINGSTEAD EAGLES
HEAD COACH - Craig Swartout (7th Year: 89-64 lifetime).
LAST YEAR - 17-8 overall.
DISTRICT - 4A-8.
KEY LOSSES - Five seniors graduated last spring including four-time All-County selection and last year's Hernando County Player of the Year, pitcher Becky Powell. OF Samantha Boggs (.324) enjoyed her finest varsity season last year.
KEY RETURNEES - Five starters back including three All-County selections: SS Jamie Lee Basinger (.321), UTL Olivia D'Acunto (.372) and 3B Shannon Cataldo (.263). Shelby Vacarro (.317) will again anchor 1B while Amanda Drawe (.280) takes over at the hot corner.
KEY ADDITIONS - Four freshmen will all see significant playing time including: Lindsey Nigro, Brittany Martinez, Brittany Flannery and Lizzie Markidis.
STRENGTH - D'Acunto is moving back to her original position, CF, to help stabilize that trio. Even with Basinger expected to do the bulk of the pitching, Cataldo switches to SS and Nigro takes over at 2B. Might be Coach Swartout's finest defensive team since district championship squad in his first year.
SHORING UP - Second base has been a revolving door under Swartout. Can Nigro lock down the spot? And ditto for the outfield. Hopefully, athletes like Markidis and D'Acunto stabilize that group. Most importantly, what about replacing Powell's huge shadow on the hill, in the dugout and at the plate (.393). With Powell on the mound, SHS won 5-of-7 1-run games. Plus, can the talented Martinez take over and succeed in the sport's most demanding position?
OUTLOOK - Team chemistry takes time. How much time will this group need to gel? Especially in a district top heavy with cruise missiles (Pasco, Zephyrhills, NCT, Gulf).

HERNANDO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY LIONS
HEAD COACH - Ernie Chatman (1st Year: 136-48 lifetime @ Hernando).
LAST YEAR - 13-6 overall (under Sue Murphy).
DISTRICT - 1A-6.
KEY LOSSES - Four players, including three starters: 3B Jacyln Boever relocated to North Carolina, UTL Brittany Flowers matriculated at HHS, 5-time All-County selection P/C Mary Ellen Langley signed with PHCC and P Meredith Hanshaw graduated.
KEY RETURNEES - HCA's No. 2, 3 4 hitters from last year are back including: Heidi Riley (.544), Jackie Butler (.526), and Melissa Weaver (.469). Audra Allen, who hit .455, before hurting her shoulder is also back.
STRENGTH - HCA hit an astronomical .408 as a team last year, out scoring opposition, 180-55 overall. Riley and Butler can mash with the best.
SHORING UP - Minus their best starter (Hanshaw) and closer (Langley) and finest catcher (Langley), how can HCA secure a county-record six consecutive district championships? Playing in a 3-team district helps. Riley will take over behind the dish replacing Langley. Majority of this team is still playing basketball. It'll take time to blend.
OUTLOOK - Make no mistake about, Hall of Fall Coach Ernie Chatman did not take over this program to lose. The Lions develop will hinge on the development of a trio of inexperienced pitchers at this level: Alicia Field, Remi Manuel and Courtney Riddle. That trio combined for one inning last year.
 

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at 352-544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.

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