2003 PREVIEW SOFTBALL: SAUGUS GETTING ALONG, COULD GO A LONG WAY IMPROVING CHEMISTRY WILL BE KEY TO PLAYOFF RUN.

Byline: Ramona Shelburne Staff Writer

The Saugus High softball team graduated three Division I college players from last season, but coaches and players insist they are a better team this year.

What gives? Do they have some freshman phenom? A key transfer?

Well, freshman catcher Tiffany Huff hit a game-winning two-run home run in Saugus' upset victory over Canyon Del Oro High of Arizona on March 21, but that's not the only reason.

``We just like each other this year, because in years' past, our team didn't get along well. That's basically why we're better this year,'' junior pitcher Kyla Sullivan said.

That discord seems evident from Saugus' record last season; the Centurions finished 14-14 overall and 4-6 in the Foothill League.

But with those players gone, Saugus seems ready to contend for a playoff spot for the first time since 2001.

Sullivan has assumed the No. 1 spot in the pitching rotation - after Saugus' top two pitchers, Christine Gilman and Megan Ivey, graduated and went off to Rutgers and Columbia, respectively - and should keep the Centurions in almost every game.

``I'd definitely say Valencia and Hart are the favorites right now, but I think we can contend for third place with Canyon and Burroughs (of Burbank),'' Saugus coach Rich Perez said. ``We're a young team, but we're talented, and if we can make things happen offensively we'll be good. Right now, we just need to be more consistent.''

The Centurions graduated seven players, including shortstop Jaclyn Holden, who is starting for North Carolina. But Perez thinks his three senior co-captains will fill that leadership gap.

That group is led by senior third baseman Kiersten Lindgreen, a second-team all-league selection last season, and includes outfielder Kristen McReynolds and first baseman Daniel Tate.

They will be trying to lead Saugus back to the prominence it once held in the area, when the Centurions won the Southern Section title in 1996 and went to the semifinals in 1997.

Nicole Giordano, a key member of those teams who went on to star at Arizona, is now an assistant coach at Hart.

Perez, though, thinks his team remains a year or two away from regaining its former dominance.

``We pretty much feel we're underdogs this year, but I think we've still got a good shot,'' second baseman Hannah Lau said.

SAUGUS AT A GLANCE

Team: Saugus softball

Last year: 14-14, 4-6 in Foothill League (fourth place)

Playoffs: Did not qualify

Key returners: Kyla Sullivan, Jr., P; Hannah Lau, Jr., 2B/SS; Kristen McReynolds, Sr., OF; Daniel Tate, Sr. 1B; Kiersten Lindgreen, Sr., 3B; Brie O'Brien, Jr., 2B.

Key Newcomers: Tiffany Huff, Fr., C; Sarah Hooper, Fr., OF.

CAPTION(S):

box

Box:

SAUGUS AT A GLANCE (see text)