Prep Sports: Strong Spring Expectations at Eastern Tech

enters the 2011 season expecting to once again compete for state titles in baseball and softball after winning region titles last year.

Coaches in boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse and tennis expect to be competitive. The boys lacrosse and tennis squads will rely on a more veteran-laden roster while the girls lacrosse team will combine key veterans with several athletic newcomers.

With the spring season set to begin this week, here is an in-depth look at Eastern Tech’s spring sports teams. 

BASEBALL:

Coach: Spike McElfish

Last Year’s Record: 14-6

Top Returnees: Robbie Barton (Sr., C), Josh Entwistle (Sr., OF), Ben Gettier (Sr., P/1B), Tim Heim (Sr., 3B/P), Nick McElfish (Sr., CF), Jimmy Szamski (Jr., OF), Neil Westdorp (Jr., SS), Chris Hook (Jr., P/1B)

Top Newcomers: Andy Szamski (Fr., 2B), Troy Schuchman (So., 3B/P), Comeron Pullen (So., OF)

Outlook: Veteran coach McElfish expects another solid season from the Mavericks, the defending Class 2A North champions. Eastern Tech appears in good shape to compete for its eighth region title in the last nine years and potentially go after the program’s third 2A state title. However, the Mavericks must also replace 10 players, including several key hitters, from last year’s squad.

Nick McElfish (.403, 24 RBI) is the Mavericks top returning hitter. Jimmy Szamski (.279, 8 RBI) and Westdrop (.368, 7 RBI) are also coming off solid offensive seasons. Gettier will anchor the pitching staff after going 5-2 with a 2.66 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 55 2/3 innings last year.

SOFTBALL

Coach: Jack Meyers

Last Year's Record: 14-6

Top Returnees: Carly Wheat (Sr., 1B), Michelle Mohr (Sr., 3B), Allison Williams (Jr., 2B),  Lindsay Meyers (So., OF), Alexis Peay (Jr., C/IF/OF), Ashley Saurwein  (Jr., C), Liz Bondarenko (Sr., P)

Top Newcomers: Jordan Cargile  (Fr., P)

Outlook: Meyers is confident the Mavericks can compete for the 2A state title after winning the 2A North title last year. Wheat (.470, 30 RBI) is among several outstanding hitters returning, along with Mohr (.482, 21 RBI), Williams (.460 15 RBIs), Meyers (.464, 23 RBI), Peay (.393, 23 SB) and Saurwein (.372). Bondarenko will anchor the pitching staff, and Cargile is expected to get a chance to make a difference on the mound.

“I’m looking forward to this season with a handful of experienced girls coming back,” Meyers said. “We would like to be more consistent one through nine in the lineup to score runs.  Our goal is to start right from the beginning and finish strong through the playoffs.”

BOYS LACROSSE

Coach: Tim Scherer (Head Coach), Matt Wickman and Rick Smith (Assistant Coaches)

Last Year's Record: 5-9

Top Returnees: Josh Cannella (Sr., M), Alex Goodman (Sr., M), Joe Terzi (Sr., M), Rob Price (Sr., A), Cody Cocnavitch (Sr, D), CJ Heckler (Sr, D/G), Kyle Bosserman (Jr, D), Hunter Oleszczuk (Jr, A), Bobby Walsh (So, A)

Top Newcomers: Tom Katzenberger (Jr., D), Wyatt Almond (Jr., G)

Outlook: After losing key players in all positions, Scherer said the Mavericks have been doing a nice job so far of stepping into new roles and responsibilities.  The most work is being done with the defense that graduated its entire starting lineup from last year. Bosserman, a third year varsity player, is making the move from longstick midfield to close defense to bring some athleticism and experience to a brand-new starting defense that will include Katzenberger with Cocnavitch and junior Igor Soloninko competing for the third spot.

There is also competition in goal with Heckler, last year’s backup, and Almond.  Cannella will anchor the midfield with Goodman and Terzi rounding out a very athletic midfield. Junior Daryn Davis will take over at longstick midfielder with juniors Nikk Breslin-Spinnato and Rich Diesenberg contributing defensively as well on short-stick defensive midfield. Faceoff duties will be split among various players including Cannella, Breslin-Spinnato and junior Austin Schappell. The attack will be very balanced with Price and sophomore Bobby Walsh combining with Oleszczuk, a force on the inside.  

 “Each player has been taking their new role very seriously and they are all dedicated to making themselves and the team better each day,” Scherer said. “The thing that excites me most about this team is the passion and energy they bring to every practice.  This passion and drive to succeed will make us a very tough opponent for any team this year.”

GIRLS LACROSSE

Coach: Hannah Bray and Jamie Bereska

Last Year's Record: 7-6

Top Returnees: Katie Bivens (Sr., A), Courtney Higgins (Sr., D), Ashley Kroll (Sr., M), Paige Mason (Sr., D), Kelly Fernandez (Jr., M/A), Rachel Katzenberger (So., M), Casey Workenaor (So., D/M), Mikayla Keckler (So., G)

Top Newcomers: Jamie Richardson (Sr., D), Tiffano Rolfes (Jr., M), Kelsey Schanberger (Jr., M), Emma Hale (Fr., A), Jillian Henry (Fr., M), Emily Metzger (Fr., A)

Outlook: First-year varsity coach Bray said the Mavericks have a lot of potential this season with an abundance of talent from returning players as well as newcomers. The midfield should be a strength for the Mavericks with Kroll returning after scoring 43 goals and dishing out 15 assists last season.

“We have a lot of young players who are stepping up this year and I am anxious to see what the season brings,” Bray said. “Our program here at Eastern Tech is growing year after year, and with that, we become more successful.  We are looking forward to a fun, rewarding season.

TENNIS

Coach: John Thorn

Last Year’s Record: N/A

Top returning players: Steven Dengler (Sr.), Evan Spivey (Sr.), Tracey Cochran (Jr.), Larae Morris (Sr.), Heera Waqar (Sr.), Stegan Tsapalas (Sr.), Justin Kaifer (Sr.), Andre Woodhouse (Sr.), Lily Thongdygnalat (Jr.), Julie Podczaski (Jr.), Amanda Leap (Jr.), Angela Lee (Jr.), Aileen Hoang (Jr.)

Top newcomers: Daje Murphy (Fr.).

Outlook: Thorn is looking forward to a successful season. On the boys’ side, the Mavericks return last year’s No. 1 and No. 2 singles players in Dengler and Spivey. Cochran is returning in the girls’ No. 1 singles spot.  Also returning are Morris and Waqar, who figure to maintain their spot as the top girls doubles team, while seniors Tsapalas and Kaifer are slated for the lead doubles spot for the boys.