Butler sees light at end of tunnel

By MIKE KILROY Eagle Staff Writer

March 22, 2008 Last Updated: March 22, 2008 02:31 PM High School

Shortstop Jenna Geibel, right, is one of the players Butler is counting on this season to turn the Golden Tornado softball program around.

There have been some pretty lean years for the Butler softball program recently.

The last three seasons have produced only five wins. Two years ago, the Golden Tornado went winless.

But that suffering could end this season. Don't look now, but Butler is loaded with young talent — and a wealth of optimism.

"We've had a lot of dedication from a lot of girls," said third-year coach Lyndsay Millea. "The next couple of years look exciting."

Not just the roster has been overhauled. The softball field got a much-needed facelift with a permanent outfield wall and other improvements.

The team also will sport new uniforms.

"We have a whole new look," Millea said. "Everything is updated, and I think that helps give the girls some confidence."

The lineup appears strong, led by junior shortstop Jenna Geibel, who hit .500 last season and provided some pop while making the all-section team. Senior catcher/outfielder Trisha Hollerman and her .487 average also return.

Senior pitcher Stacy Reges is back, and the Golden Tornado will use freshman pitcher Angie Reddick in certain situations.

"This is the most people we've had around Jenna," Millea said. "It's going to be truly a team effort this season."

Here is a look at area high school softball teams:

• Coach: Lyndsay Millea, third year• Last year: 3-16• They're outta here: Jessica McWilliams• They're in there: SS-Jenna Geibel (senior); OF/C-Trisha Hollerman (senior); P-Stacy Reges (senior); P-Angie Reddick (freshman); IF/OF-Karen Cumberledge (junior)• Outlook: The Golden Tornado, who didn't win a game two years ago, have high hopes for 2008.If it can traverse a difficult section, Butler could be a pleasant surprise."The teams in our section are always difficult opponents," Millea said. "They lose a lot, but great teams replace who they lose. I think we have the potential to be very good."

• Coach: George Trew, eighth year• Last year: 20-3• They're outta here: Lauren Pennell, Nicole Lollo, Lindsay Troyer, Liz Dorogy• They're in there: C-Megan McCormick (senior), P-Courtney Grootegood (senior); SS-Dana Hughes (junior); OF-Caitlin McGill (senior), OF-AshleyWatkins (senior); OF-Kelsey Fray (senior), Ashley Kuhn (junior)• Outlook: The Raiders lost Pennell, a standout pitcher throughout her career, but they get back Grootegood in the circle.Toss in a potentially potent lineup that features mashers McCormick, Hughes, et al, and Seneca Valley appears poised for another WPIAL run."We have to fill a couple of key positions," Trew said, "but we should be solid.

• Coach: ScottDocherty, third year• Last year: 15-6• They're outta here: Stephanie Fincher, Lizz King• They're in there: P-Chelsea Martin (junior), P/3B-Amanda Sheppeck (junior), SS-Kirsten Brant (senior); 1B-Jade Thrower (senior); CF-Zoe Hughes (senior); 2B-Michelle Steimiller (senior); OF-Ashley Antoszyk (senior)• Outlook: In three years, Docherty has helped turn a floundering program into a power.The Knights made the playoffs for the first time in school history last season. Anything less will be considered a major disappointment."If we don't go 17-3, I will be shocked," Docherty said.

• Coach: Michele Goodworth, 10th season• Last year: 12-10• They're outta here: Monica Glomb (732 career strikeouts), Emma Wharrey, Zara Zollner• They're in there: P-Kayla Durkin (senior), P-Rachel Pastorek (freshman); C-Brittany Berkopec (junior); 1B-Kelsey Ferguson (senior), SS-Saber Horner (senior); 3B-Autumn Barber (senior); OF-Jaime Fiorina (senior)• Outlook: The marvelous Glomb is gone, but the future isn't bleak. The Planets have a potential ace in freshman Rachel Pastorek, as well as in veteran Kayla Durkin.The stellar defense also is mostly intact."The biggest thing we have to work on is hitting," Goodworth said. "Last year, we got hits, but we didn't get them in bunches. We need to do that because our success is going to come down to scoring more runs."

• Coach: Tom Rotto, first year• Last year: .500• They're outta here: Brittany Showers, Bethany Gent, Jessica Rykaceski, Megan Doerfler, Lynn Patterson, Kylie Hepler, CaitlinWait• They're in there: SS-Katie Gaydos (senior); 3B-Marissa Rotto (senior); P-Madison Rotto (sophomore)• Outlook: The Yellowjackets have only three starters returning from last season."If I could go at least .500, that would be great," Rotto said. "Anything more than that would be a bonus.

• Coach: Zoe McDowell, second season• Last year: .500• They're outta here: Amanda Shearer• They're in there: P-Morgan Robinson (sophomore), 3B-Sam Volponi (senior); C/OF-Lindsay Bennett (senior); SS-Erin Ferguson (junior); CF-Hillary Pendle (junior); RF/IF-Jessica Hotz (junior)• Outlook: Pitcher Robinson is the real deal, and the Rockets' lineup figures to have some pop with Volponi and Ferguson."We really don't dwell on past records," McDowell said. "We really are looking for the playoffs. We believe we can get to that point."

• Coach: Shawnee Denbow, ninth year• Last year: 12-8• They're outta here: Tara Walmsley, Kari Barnes, Ashley Patterson, Maggie Orr• They're in there: P-Chelsea Filer (junior); P/OF-Felicia King (sophomore); SS-Courtney Chutz (junior); 3B-Kayla Coryea (junior); 2B-Rochelle Bonner (sophomore); OF-Theresa Alessio (junior); OF-Casey Karrera (senior); OF-Leah Yauger (freshman)• Outlook: After a three-year absence, Denbow is back as coach of the Eagles and she is expecting big things from her young team."Our strength is definitely pitching," Denbow said. "We don't have as much speed on the bases as I'm used to, but we're going to try to run a little more. With the pitching we have, I'm looking for a very good season."

• Coach: Mike Simpson, sixth year• Last year: 14-5• They're outta here: Samantha Pyle, Haley Callihan• They're in there: 2B-Samantha Bly (junior); SS-Allyson Kepple (senior); 3B-Breanna Bowser (senior); P-Ashley Pakutz (senior); P-Brandi Dunkle (junior)• Outlook: The Gremlins have a solid group of returning players, headlined by their pitching tandem of Pakutz and Dunkle."I don't see any reason why we can't improve upon last season," Simpson said. "We have good players here and good players coming up through the system."

• Coach: Dan Hindman, sixth year• Last year: 15-7• They're outta here: Martina Burk, Megan Campbell, Brandy Neff• They're in there: P-Maura McCaslin (junior); 3B-Ashley Pisor (sophomore); C-Amber Neff (junior); 1B/P-Michael Cousins (sophomore); 2B-Alex Quercio (sophomore); SS-Jenna McCorry (sophomore) • Outlook: Players come, players go. One thing seems to always stay the same in Warriors Country: winning."We're pretty young, but we were pretty young last year, too" Hindman said. "Our goals are no different than any other year."