INJURY CAN'T STOP SAUGUS' DRIVE SOFTBALL TEAM STILL LOADED WITH TALENT.Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer SAUGUS - There's a bit of uncertainty in the air for the Saugus 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 because its best player, ASA Asa (ā`sə), in the Bible, king of Judah, son and successor of Abijah. He was a good king, zealous in his extirpation of idols. When Baasha of Israel took Ramah (a few miles N of Jerusalem), Asa bought the help of Benhadad of Damascus and All-American catcher Jaclyn Holden, hasn't recovered from hand surgery and won't be available for at least a month. Holden, who batted .519 with five home runs and 22 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 as a junior last season, will be missed at the 16-team Hart Classic tournament starting on Saturday, and also when the Centurions travel to the ultracompetitive, 40-team Tournament of Champions in Bullhead bullhead, common name for several species of fish. See catfish; sculpin. bullhead Any of several species of North American freshwater catfish in the genus Ictalurus, valued as food and sport fishes. Bullheads are related to the channel catfish (I. City, Ariz., starting on March 14. But with a nucleus of returning talent, including the team's top three pitchers from a year ago, Saugus (13-10 in 2001) should be respectable, even without Holden. And the Centurions figure to be a contender to win the Foothill League championship when, and if, Holden returns to form. ``That's really going to hurt, not having her. We can't wait to get her back,'' second-year coach Rich Perez said. ``Jaclyn's a good ballplayer and she brings a lot of leadership. But we're looking pretty good, and I think we're going to be better than we were last year. We've got a good group.'' Holden, a left-hander, underwent surgery six weeks ago to remove a cyst cyst, abnormal sac in the body, filled with a fluid or semisolid and enclosed in a membrane. Cysts can be congenital but are usually acquired, the most common locations being the skin and the ovaries. on a tendon tendon, tough cord composed of closely packed white fibers of connective tissue that serves to attach muscles to internal structures such as bones or other muscles. on her right hand. She was in a cast for about a month and is undergoing physical therapy. ``All the girls on the team have been real supportive for me, and I think it's a really good team,'' Holden said. ``We have a lot more experience than last year, and we just have to go out and do the best we can.'' Senior pitcher Megan Ivey said: ``We're going to miss Jaclyn. She's a great asset. Everyone else just has to step up.'' Right-handers Ivey and Christina Gilman (both seniors) and sophomore Tyla Sullivan give Saugus three capable pitchers, an advantage over many teams that rely on one main starter. ``Megan gives us leadership and she's very consistent,'' Perez said. ``Christina throws a little harder, and Tyla did an excellent job as a freshman last year and is a lot stronger now.'' Sophomore Hannah Lau is a key infielder. ``Hannah is a great defensive player, and we look for great things from her,'' Perez said. Perez, a longtime long·time adj. Having existed or persisted for a long time: a longtime friend; a longtime resident of Detroit. longtime Adjective assistant who became a head coach for the first time a year ago, said he feels more confident because he has added two assistants, Gordon McKay and Bob Koutz. ``Having three coaches helps a lot,'' Ivey said. ``Each one has a variety of coaching styles, but in general they all fit together. It should be a good year.'' AT A GLANCE School: Saugus Sport: Softball Coach: Rich Perez, second year Last year: 13-10 Top returnees: Jaclyn Holden, C; Megan Ivey, right handed pitcher; Tyla Sullivan, RHP rhp abbr. rated horsepower ; Christina Gilman, RHP; Hannah Lau, 3B. CAPTION(S): 2 photos, box Photo: (1) Saugus High School Saugus High School may refer to:
Daily News (2) Catcher Jaclyn Holden, shown in a recent game, is recovering from hand surgery and won't be available for at least a month. David Sprague/Staff Photographer Box: AT A GLANCE (see text) |
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