2003 PREVIEW SOFTBALL: WAY TOO MUCH TALENT QUARTZ HILL HAS ABUNDANCE OF EXCEPTIONAL PLAYERS IN '03.Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer QUARTZ HILL - The Quartz Hill High softball softball, variant of baseball played with a larger ball on a smaller field. Invented (1888) in Chicago as an indoor game, it was at various times called indoor baseball, mush ball, playground ball, kitten ball, and, because it was also played by women, ladies' team has worries for which most teams can only wish. Prohibitive favorites to defend their Golden League title, the Rebels boast a program overflowing with talent at nearly every position. With eight returning starters, including league MVP (Multimedia Video Processor) A high-speed DSP chip from Texas Instruments, introduced in 1994. Officially introduced as the TMS320C80, it combines RISC technology with the functionality of four DSPs on one chip. Jennifer Curtier, they have an abundance of experience. And with 10 league titles in the past 12 seasons, they have one of the region's most well-established winning traditions. They have problems? ``It's going to be hard to keep everybody happy,'' Quartz Hill co-coach Coy Ray said. ``It's going to be a big problem. ``We have a lot of really good players on our team who are only going to pinch run once a game. We want to be able to give everybody a chance, but we have a lot of really good players on our team so that's going to be hard.'' But don't expect anybody to feel sorry for Quartz Hill. Especially not after last season, when the Rebels went 10-0 in league (19-7 overall). This year, a seasoned nucleus combined with a strong group of newcomers figures to make them even better. To say expectations are high would be a gigantic understatement. ``None of us really thought we could go unbeaten in league (last season),'' Curtier said. ``Our goal was to win league and make the playoffs, but because we did it last year our goals are a little higher. We're hoping to do it again and I think we can if we work really hard together. ``We have a lot of confidence.'' Nobody can blame them for feeling that way. Curtier leads a potent top-to-bottom offense. One of the best hitters in the school's recent history according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Ray, Curtier last season batted .462 (36 for 78) with eight homers, five doubles, four triples and 32 RBI RBI abbr. Baseball runs batted in Noun 1. rbi - a run that is the result of the batter's performance; "he had more than 100 rbi last season" run batted in . Her slugging percentage In baseball statistics, slugging percentage (abbreviated SLG) is the most popular measure of the power of a hitter. It is calculated as total bases divided by at bats: was .936. Those numbers are remarkable because she often didn't see good pitches, drawing 16 walks last season, 12 of which were intentional. And if their numbers from last season are any indication, all-league selections Emily Barnes, Nicole Means and Shawna Cabriales (all juniors) should complement Curtier in the lineup nicely. Barnes, a solid defensive shortstop, batted .403 (25 for 62). Means, a center fielder, batted .328 (31 for 85) with two homers and five doubles. Cabriales, a soccer star, is one of the team's best athletes and is projected to lead off and play left field and some shortstop. She batted .328 (20 for 61) with five doubles and two homers. Senior third baseman third baseman n. Baseball The infielder stationed near third base. Noun 1. third baseman - (baseball) the person who plays third base third sacker Nycole Brand and sophomore right fielder right fielder n. Baseball The player who defends right field. Noun 1. right fielder - the person who plays right field outfielder - (baseball) a person who plays in the outfield Kelsie Blankenmeyer are both returning starters and will solidify the Rebels defensively. Pitching is also a strength for Quartz Hill. The staff is led by ace Brieann Huling, a senior first-team all-league selection who went 14-6 with a 1.63 ERA last season. She also struck out 86 batters in 127 innings. Junior second baseman second baseman n. Baseball The infielder who is positioned near and to the first-base side of second base. Noun 1. second baseman - (baseball) the person who plays second base second sacker Erica Ricker is second in the rotation, and senior infielder Sara Ely is third. Sophomore Summer Plant, freshman Christine Priestly priest·ly adj. priest·li·er, priest·li·est 1. Of or relating to a priest or the priesthood. 2. Characteristic of or suitable for a priest. and newcomers Chanel Reeves, a junior, and Sarah Kahn, a sophomore, play multiple positions and give Quartz Hill exceptional team speed. The Rebels' only weakness might be their inexperience Inexperience See also Innocence, Naïveté. Bowes, Major Edward (1874–1946) originator and master of ceremonies of the Amateur Hour on radio. [Am. at catcher. Sophomore Rachel Green, the projected starter, junior Shannon Ely and Reeves have shown promise, but none have played at the varsity level. Quartz Hill can't improve on its perfect league record, but Curtier would like to see her team go deeper into the playoffs. Last season, they lost in the first round to eventual Southern Section champion Chino Chino (chē`nō), city (1990 pop. 59,682), San Bernardino co., S Calif.; founded 1887, inc. 1910. It is the business and processing center of a diversified farming (notably dairying) area. . ``It would be awesome to go deeper (in the playoffs), but right now we're just preparing for league,'' she said. ``The competition when you get to CIF (1) (Common Intermediate Format) A standard video format used in videoconferencing. CIF formats are defined by their resolution, and standards both above and below the original resolution have been established. The original CIF is also known as Full CIF (FCIF). (Southern Section) is different. You usually don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. anything about the other teams. You just have to go out there and play.'' QUARTZ HILL Team: Quartz Hill softball Co-coaches: Coy Ray, 16th year; Ben Meyer, fourth year 2002 record: 19-7, 10-0; first place in Golden League Playoffs: Lost in first round Top returnees: Jennifer Curtier (Sr., 1B), Emily Barnes (Jr., SS), Nicole Means (Jr., OF), Shawna Cabriales (Jr., OF/SS), Nycole Brand (Sr., 3B), Kelsie Blankenmeyer (So., OF), Brieann Huling (Sr., P), Erica Ricker (Jr. 2B/P). Top Newcomers: Rachel Green (So., C), Summer Plant (So., OF/INF), Christine Priestly (Fr., OF/INF), Shannon Ely (Jr. C). CAPTION(S): 5 photos, box Photo: (1) NICOLE MEANS (2) EMILY BARNES (3) JENNIFER CURTIER (4) BRIEANN HULING (5) SHAWNA CABRIALES Box: QUARTZ HILL (see text) |
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