BACK-OF-THE-MIND MOTIVATION; SAUGUS DEDICATES SEASON TO TEAMMATE WHO DIED.Byline: Rizza Yap Daily News Staff Writer There is a new air of determination among members of the Saugus High softball team. Its source is not often discussed, but players say it is prominent in their thoughts. ``We lost a player, and everyone wants to dedicate this season to her,'' said sophomore center fielder Kelly Cornelison. ``Everyone's working hard. We really want to win (a Southern Section title) for her.'' Earlier this year, an 18-year-old teammate was killed in a car accident involving an alleged drunk driving. Senior Lauren Blaire would have been a fourth-year member of the softball team. Senior 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 Amanda Melton mel·ton n. A heavy woolen cloth used chiefly for making overcoats and hunting jackets. [After Melton Mowbray, an urban district of central England.] said that Blaire's passing taught the squad to strive for better chemistry. ``All of us have really come together as a team,'' Melton said. ``I don't really know why, it's weird. I guess maybe since Lauren's death, everyone realized we all need to get along. That life's too short Life's Too Short is an episode of the HBO series Six Feet Under. Plot Claire and Gabe reunite under tragic circumstances when Gabriel's little brother dies ffrom accidentally shooting himself while playing with a gun, and later ends up beaten up by his step-father during to have any enemies. We don't really say this season is for Lauren, but I think it is.'' This year follows a 1997 season that ended in an impressive 24-4 record, including a 10-0 finish in the Foothill League. The Centurions earned their seventh league title in nine years and advanced to the semifinals of the Southern Section playoffs. This time, players are determined to repeat their 1996 performance, when Saugus won its first-ever Southern Section championship in softball. Improved team unity may just be the key. Coach Ron Hilton, in his 14th season with Centurions, said rapport among teammates can dictate the squad's potential, that even the most gifted group of players may falter if they don't mix well together. ``Probably the best team I've ever had went out in the second round in 1995,'' Hilton said. ``Eight girls on that team played 18-and-under gold (travel softball). It was tremendously talented, but they never put it together as a team.'' Michigan State-bound Melton, who batted .400 last season, and senior catcher Val Reyes will provide leadership to this year's squad as co-captains. Juniors Corrie Atwood, a transfer from Crescenta Valley The Crescenta Valley is a small inland valley in Los Angeles County, California. Its name derives from its crescent-like shape, with the convex portion facing roughly northeast and the concave portion southwest. , and Stephanie Blaire will share time in the pitcher's circle. Blaire, expected to be the No. 1 pitcher, was scheduled to join the varsity team In the United States and Canada and UK, varsity sports teams are the principal athletic teams representing a college, university, or high school or other secondary school. Such teams compete against the principal athletic teams at other colleges/universities, or in the case of last year. She was deemed academically ineligible, however, and missed half the season. During the second half, she played for the junior varsity junior varsity n. Abbr. JV A high-school or college team that competes in interschool sports on the level below varsity. Noun 1. squad. On the outfield, Hilton's triple threat includes Cornelison, 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 Julie Watson and junior left fielder Sandy Volk. All three are returning starters. Dubbed by Hilton as ``the finest outfield I've ever had,'' the trio are known for their speed and accuracy. They're also best friends, Cornelison said. She and Watson, who batted .500 last year, play for the same travel team, and Volk is planning to join them next year. Sophomore Katie Hoggatt also will serve on the outfield and as a utility infielder A utility infielder is a baseball player, usually someone who does not have a regular starting role on the team, who is capable of playing more than one of the four defensive infield positions: second base, third base, shortstop, and less typically first base. . Sophomore Sonia Zapata returns as the Centurions' starting shortstop. She earned the spot last year after Nicole Giordano - now at the University of Arizona (body, education) University of Arizona - The University was founded in 1885 as a Land Grant institution with a three-fold mission of teaching, research and public service. - moved to the pitcher's circle. Senior Christian Meinke, last season's backup first baseman, is battling for a starting spot. She is up against sophomore Elizabeth Harkins and Jennifer McCarty, the only freshman on the team. ``I've been really lucky with getting great talent over the years,'' Hilton said. ``The girls come in from the William S. Hart pony softball (program) and usually play travel ball. I just try not to overcoach them. They come in very skilled, and I try not to mess that up.'' On Saturday, Saugus will compete in the second half of the Hart Tournament. Last week, the Centurions picked up a 3-0 victory against Santa Monica Santa Monica (săn`tə mŏn`ĭkə), city (1990 pop. 86,905), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1886. Tourism and retailing are important, and the city has motion-picture, biotechnology, and software industries. and fell 1-0 to Quartz Hill. From March 16 to 20, they travel to the Laguna Hills La·gu·na Hills A city of southern California southeast of Santa Ana. Population: 33,600. Softball Tournament, an annual tradition for the past 10 years. In 1997, they finished in third place out of 16 teams. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos PHOTO (1-2) ``All of us have really come together as a team,'' said Saugus second baseman Amanda Melton, top. The outfield includes best friends Kelly Cornelison, above right, Julie Watson, middle, and Sandy Volk. Hans Gutknecht/Daily News |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion