SOFTBALL PREVIEW: YEAR MAKES DIFFERENCE FOR SAUGUS.Byline: Kirby Lee Special to the Daily News The youthful 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 more than held its own last season with five freshmen in the starting lineup For the line of action figures, see . A starting lineup in sports refers to the set of players actively participating in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes . Saugus (18-10-1) tied for first in the Foothill League with Hart and advanced to the Southern Section Division II quarterfinals. What can that group do for an encore? ``I think we should do very well,'' said Saugus coach Ron Hilton said, in his 20th season. ``We have a pretty talented group of kids but there is a ton yet to be proven.'' Saugus has proven nucleus with seniors Julie Watson and Liz Harkins, junior Jennifer McClary and sophomore Christine Gillman. Watson and Harkins are both four-year starters. The Cal State Fullerton-bound Watson was a first-team All-Foothill League and All-American selection and was also chosen to the All-Southern Section Division II first team. Watson moved to third base last season to help add stability to the Centurions' infield. The slap-hitting Watson batted .400 as Saugus' leadoff hitter In baseball, a leadoff hitter is a batter who bats first in the lineup. Strategy Leadoff hitters must possess certain traits to be successful: they must reach base at a proficient rate and be able to steal bases. , stole a team-high 11 bases, scored 17 runs and had a .425 on-base percentage. This summer, Watson and senior center fielder Kelli Cornelison teamed on the Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, Athletics 18-and-under Gold team, which won the 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 National Championship in Chattanooga, Tenn. ``She just has great bat control,'' Hilton said of Watson, who plays in the outfield in travel ball and will return to her natural position in college. ``She has filled in the infield, an area where we were affected. She had qualities we could not find anywhere else.'' Harkins, a first baseman, batted .340 and is the team's best bunter. McClary and Gillman each earned second-team all-league honors last season. The versatile McClary, a .300 hitter, will start in right field but may be used additionally at pitcher and designated hitter designated hitter n. Baseball Abbr. DH A player designated at the start of a game to bat instead of the pitcher in the lineup. Noun 1. . Gillman compiled a 0.82 earned-run average last season. Gillman and Megan Ivey, both right handers, are battling for the No. 1 pitching position In baseball, there are two legal pitching positions: the windup, and the set. The choice of pitching position may be tactical, as the windup has a generally slower execution than the set and is thus at greater risk of allowing a stolen base. . Neither are overpowering o·ver·pow·er·ing adj. So strong as to be overwhelming: an overpowering need for solitude. o , but rely on precision and accuracy. ``No one is going to walk by mistakes,'' Hilton said. Injuries - or a lack of them - will also play a key role in Saugus' success. Cornelison's status is unknown after suffering a wrist injury last season. She aggravated ag·gra·vate tr.v. ag·gra·vat·ed, ag·gra·vat·ing, ag·gra·vates 1. To make worse or more troublesome. 2. To rouse to exasperation or anger; provoke. See Synonyms at annoy. it during summer play, and it might sideline her this spring. Sophomore shortstop Jaclyn Holden missed the final half of last season because of a hip flexor flexor /flex·or/ (flek´ser) 1. causing flexion. 2. a muscle that flexes a joint. flexor retina´culum see entries under retinaculum. injury. Holden, who batted .410, is fully recovered and adds power hitting from the left side. Sophomore Amy Snyder will likely move from second base to center field with the absence of Cornelison. Another 10th grader, Tiffany Arnett, will start in left field. Senior Katie Hogatt will play second base. Hilton calls defense one of the Centurions' strength, particularly with sophomore catcher Brittany Benike, who has a strong arm and can block the plate. ``Defensively, we are fairly sound,'' Hilton said. Offensively, Saugus has big hitters in Holden, McClary and Hogatt but will emphasize bunting bunting, common name for small, plump birds of the family Fringillidae (finch family). Among the American buntings are the indigo bunting, in which the summer plumage of the male reflects sunlight as a rich, metallic blue; the painted bunting, or nonpareil ( to put the ball in play. ``We have always had a lot of speed and slappers,'' Hilton said. ``We're going to hit the ball hard too. We'll have an even mix.'' Hilton picks Saugus and Hart to be in the mix again for the league title with Canyon, Valencia and Burroughs battling for third. Last season, Hart and Saugus split their two meetings. ``Hart is very talented,'' Hilton said. ``Valencia, Canyon and Burroughs are OK and Burbank is usually a little weaker, but you can't take anybody lightly.'' AT A GLANCE Team: Saugus softball 1999 record: 18-10-1 Foothill League: 9-1, (tied for first) Coach: Ron Hilton, 20th year Top returners: Julie Watson, Sr., 3B; Kelli Cornelison, Sr., CF; Christine Gillman, So., P; Jaclyn Holden, So., SS; Brittany Benike, So, C; Liz Harkins, Jr., DH, P, OF; Amy Snyder, So, OF, 2B; Katie Hogatt, Sr, SS, 2B. Top newcomer: Megan Ivey, So., P CAPTION(S): box Box: At a Glance (see text) |
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