2009 Area Softball Preview: Tologs team to beat
Above: Mary Knauf, Jessica Ferri and Taylor Crotty at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy. (Keith Birmingham / Staff Photographer)
By Keith Lair
Staff Writer
There may be no single high school team made up of all-stars this season, but the quality of senior softball players may make it one of the best seasons for the West San Gabriel Valley.
Five players have already signed national letters of intent to continue their softball pursuits. Temple City High School shortstop Veronica Grant will be at Syracuse, Arcadia center fielder Morgan Barchan will be at Southern Illinois, Flintridge Sacred Heart pitcher Jessica Ferri will attend Harvard, South Pasadena shortstop Shelby Gogreve will play for Indiana and La Salle catcher Katie Tripoli signed with Sonoma State. And nearly every one of their coaches said the same thing about their top player.
Such as: "She knows she's the one," Temple City coach Bob Ellingsworth said of Grant. "A lot is riding on her, but she's more relaxed now. She just wants to have fun."
Nearly all the area's top teams open the season on Saturday in the Duarte Tournament.
Here's the preseason Top 10:
1. Flintridge Sacred Heart
It's time for the Tologs to make their move in the Mission League.
The tough league has been rather unkind to the Tologs. Even with a very good team last season, which went 10-10 and finished fourth in league play, The Tologs finished one win out of third place and missed the CIF-Southern Section playoffs.
The Tologs return arguably the best pitcher in the West San Gabriel Valley in Ferri. She was a Star-News first-team player last season.
The Tologs are solid up the middle. There's junior catcher Meghan Luera, shortstop Taylor Crotty and sophomore center fielder Alanna Pires. Mary Knauf is also back at first base.
"We're going to rely on the experience of those three seniors," Tologs co-coach Mary Schneiders said of Ferri, Crotty and Knauf.
2. La Canada
The Spartans have quickly righted the program with an infusion of young, talented players, and they're ready to knock on the Rio Hondo League door.
Eight players who had a big impact on last season's surprising title run return. The outfield, with Kylie Mulligan, a first-team Star-News choice last season, and Amanda and Abby Ulf is back. As are sophomore pitchers Lauren O'Leary and Lizzie Miller, along with sophomore shortstop Anna Edwards and fellow infielders Anne Applebaum and Lucy Filippone.
The Spartans add another pitcher, freshman Lauren Cox, and freshman utility player Catherine Horner, who could become the catcher.
3. La Salle
The Lancers return all that any coach could want: pitching and hitting.
Senior Maddie Herlache and junior Allie Forillo will again share pitching duties. Forillo led the Del Rey League in strikeouts last season with 158.
Sonoma-bound Tripoli is the top returning hitter. She holds the school career record for home runs, with eight, and will play catcher.
The Lancers also move into a new league and new division. They will join the Camino Real League, which competes in Division VI.
Tripoli will share catching duties with freshman Meagan Allen.
4. Temple City
The Rams lost three of the top players in the Rio Hondo League to graduation, but the champions have Grant and a lot of other talent returning.
Jessica Loiacano, who had a fabulous freshman season, Ashley Perez, Brittany Vasquez, Jessica Kosharek and Kelsey Hardwick will all make an impact. Hardwick has the most pitching experience.
5. Arcadia
Barchan is back with her speed and outstanding center- field play.
Patricia Stark hopes to make her mark in the pitcher's circle after a year facing varsity competition. Lisa Kalemkiarian, Kristin Phillipi, Andrea Vallejo and Emily McQuaid all return. All but McQuaid are seniors.
Samantha Miller, who missed most of her sophomore season due to injuries, is healthy and ready to go. Miller can play catcher or shortstop. McQuaid will be at second base.
"Patricia will only be stronger," coach Megan Leahy said. "She's only a junior, but she's grown. We're going to have to rely on our seniors, too."
The Apaches have key holes to fill, though, losing catcher Caitlin Grimes and shortstop Dusty Gibbs.
6. South Pasadena
The Tigers are facing all sorts of changes. Pitcher Nichole Parada and first baseman Michelle Mun graduated. Kelsey Hertel decided she did not want to play this season.
But the well is definitely not dry. There's Indiana-bound Gogreve, catcher Katrina Skogsberg and second baseman Amanda Castro.
The big surprise, though, is that the Tigers will use three pitchers. Senior Destinee Quinn and freshmen Marisa Baca and Marika Stanford-Moore will take over for Parada.
7. Rosemead
The Aztecs will feature a mix of freshmen and seniors. One of those seniors, Tiffany Rubin, was one of the leading hitters in the West San Gabriel Valley last season. She was a Star- News first-team choice.
Rubin will move from second base to shortstop. Starting senior pitcher Justine Morin will be heavily counted on, but freshman Ashani Medina will be making some noise.
"She can go to any other school and be a starter," coach Bobby Madrid said.
Freshman Brianna Becerra will replace Rubin at second base, and Angie Yeh returns at catcher. The Aztecs have to wait for another big hitter, sophomore Amanda Raucho, to come off academic probation.
8. Alverno
The Jaguars lost more than 2008 Star-News Player of the Year Michelle Escamilla, who is now pitching at Mt. SAC.
Longtime coach Frank Russo, who had coached at the Sierra Madre school for 18 seasons, winning every Horizon League title this decade, died at Verdugo Hills Hospital this past weekend. He was 48.
First baseman Barbara Parker is back. Alverno reached the CIF-SS quarterfinals before falling last season.
9. Pasadena Poly
Some athletes with experience last season opted to try the track and field team. Others wanted to play badminton.Still, the Panthers, down to 12 players, have some talent.
Sophomore pitcher Stephanie Tercero, the Latta sisters and junior Michelle Tanner will provide quality at-bats and innings. Ally Latta will play her fourth year at second base, and junior Megan Latta will play her third year at shortstop. Junior Tanner is in her third season in the outfield.
10. Flintridge Prep
The Rebels lost only two seniors, starting catcher Kari Van Horn and outfielder Ashley Wood.
Left-handed pitcher Lydia Kay and shortstop Alina Khodadian are back on a team that went 12-8 and contended for the Prep League title to the last at-bat last season. The Rebels did advance to the CIF-SS playoffs. Khodadian was one of the Rebels' top hitters.
keith.lair@sgvn.com
(626) 962-8811, Ext. 4456
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
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just fyi.....a lot of the leagues were moved into a new divisions by the CIF including the Mission league. As such, FSHA is actually in D3 now (which doesn't make things any easier).
I love it when people tell just a small part of the story, and who knows what point they are trying to make. I was able to see most of this game because it ran so over and my team was playing next. The previous blogger Lancer Alert also forgot to mention it was great game with 2 tie breaker innings and ended with a controversial call on the last play where the umpire ruled that the Sacred Heart runner scored on leaving 3rd early. Some saw it one way, others saw it the other. Regardless, it’s in the books as the umpire saw it (I agreed with the umpire on this call myself).
But you might also mention that La Salle only mustered 2 hits in the game too (and I think Sacred Heart even had a few more hits). The 2nd La Salle hit should be scored a hit, but it was a ground ball that was directly hit to the Sacred Heart short stop which was slowly fielded and thrown to 1st base late. Not a particularly fast runner but she beat it out. On the other hand, I would score the ball that went between the La Salle 2nd baseman’s legs an error. Both were plays that should have been made, but one should be scored a hit, and the other an error. Both teams had their share of errors, pass balls, etc. but the season is very early and I'm sure both teams will sharpen up.
You have to give a lot of credit to the La Salle coaches in that game, they had their kids very prepared and they took advantage of every opportunity. They also aggressively ran the bases and made opportunities against a less prepared Sacred Heart team who missed several key opportunities, especially on the bases. Also, at least 2 of the total runs that I saw in the game should have been scored unearned, which is even more of a credit to the La Salle coaching. Of course, who cares if a run is earned or unearned, each counts the same in determining who won the game. La Salle took advantage of their opponent’s mistakes which is great softball and created a win, and the opponent didn’t take the same advantage which created a loss. The La Salle coaches gave a clinic on softball base running and execution and it was pretty obvious that they understand that it is critical to move base runners, and base runners left on base without advancing will likely hurt you in the end.
As a side note, the umpires in this tournament are truly terrible (where did Duarte find some of these guys), and this game sure had its share of poor umpiring. Certainly everyone is entitled to make mistakes, but some of the mistakes that are being made by these umpires are hard to take. Regardless, despite some poor calls, I don’t think the umpiring ultimately determined the outcome of this game. To me, La Salle clearly deserved the win.
Lets see, 2 hits, 3 runs...hmmm
La Salle 3 FSH 2 ! Ferri 8 (eight) BBs to go with 10Ks?
No Woe is me. I just feel that their defense had to dramatically improve. It was definitely their problem last year and until that changes I will not put them on top. I haven't seen them play this year yet, so I can't personally say if it has changed. The reality is that FSH is a D4 team and Alverno is a D7 team. Alverno by all rights should not match up well with them. With Escamilla, they traded strike outs. FSH's defense will face the real challenge when they face teams like Alameny and Chaminade who will periodically hit the ball hard against her. I am not saying the defense can't do it, but it needs to happen first.
I would agree with you that she is the best pitcher out there, but there some pretty good field players and hitters out there that challenge her in other facets of the game in terms of being the "best player". But she has a good argument for that title as well.
OK, it's early in the season and I've seen quite few games and there is no doubt that Jessica Ferri is the best player in the area. That's right, I did not say pitcher I said player. Her hitting and the way she leads a young team are impressive. In watching FSH's performance against Alverno I think we need to stop the woe is me we have no defense that keeps getting thrown at us by Chkyrslf. While not the best defense in the area it is nowhere near the worst. Ferri's teammates made many solid defensive plays behind her.
Alverno on the other hand appears to be in a rebuilding year but could be much better by the end of the year. Our prayers are with that team and all they have had to endure.
Mr/Ms/Mrs Anonymous,
That is one of the most ridiculous posts I have ever read. I have been nothing but light this season. And as if by me saying my opinion, that a kid is an elite player, I am stopping your friend, area fan, from saying anything.
And, your little quip that maybe I know "too much" about Jessica Ferri is reprehensible and you should be ashamed of yourself for that insinuation. Chances are you are actually "Area Fan" because I cannot imagine anyone actually agreeing with him. The fact that I am protecting an innocent teenage player from some disturbed adult, who is out to break her down with his/her words, by saying nice things about her, does not mean I am taking away his 5th amendment rights. He/she should edit himself/herself and not find it so important to take away a kid's accolades with his/her own uninformed opinion.
I am not a Sacred Heart Fan but from this point on I will be starting the Jessica Ferri/Sacred Heart Fan club just to piss the two of you off. You make me ill.
By the way, what nationality is "Anonymous?"
Dear Chkyrslf:
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE lighten up! You know an awful lot about a certain pitcher. (Maybe too much???) We know YOU thinks she's pretty good. I think she's pretty good too. Is she in the class of some recent area studs?? Not sure but PLEASE Let others have a say without you attacking them. A-Fan was not being derrogatory just stating his/her opinion. That is what blogs are for, right?
Enjoy the season! It's only just begun.
Oh, by the way... area fan...Jessica Ferri's first game of the year was a no hitter vs Alverno. I believe she had several RBI's as well.
Last comment was written by me... chky
Area Fan,
I am not going to discuss individual girls and break down their weaknesses. I have seen Jessica Ferri pitch on several different levels outside of High School and seen her mature to a new level as a pitcher. Her 18 Gold team is legit and she would not be there and would not have led them to doing so well at 18 Gold Nationals if she wasn't. The competition there is too stiff for her not be considered elite. That is an elite party and she was a major participant. End of story. The whole (L) thing that you are holding on to seems to be personal, because every one close to the FSH situation will easily agree with me. Now stop tearing kids down and lift the ones up that you think deserve it. I assume you are a grownup?
I am not going to discuss individual girls and break down their weaknesses. I have seen Jessica Ferri pitch on several different levels outside of High School and seen her mature to a new level as a pitcher. Her 18 Gold team is legit and she would not be there and would not have led them to doing so well at 18 Gold Nationals if she wasn't. The competition there is too stiff for her not be considered elite. That is an elite party and she was a major participant. End of story. The whole (L) thing that you are holding on to seems to be personal, because every one close to the FSH situation will easily agree with me. Now stop tearing kids down and lift the ones up that you think deserve it. I assume you are a grownup?
Chcky (and anon chky?):
What about FSH's Knauf and Crotty?? Every team has two girls..But the fact remains the elite pitchers don't lose 10 games in a season let alone on 4 years...
I've seen Ferri pitch. She's good. But not in the elite class. Sorry. The facts (L's) don't lie!
My team is still undefeated by the way!!!
Thank you chkyrslf ... you hit the nail right on the head. "area fan" is just one of those haters who loves to rip certain kids. Have no idea where his jealousy comes from ... but for shame!
Wish he would just work on fixing his own team which has once again collapsed around him.
Area Fan,
Are you sure you are getting enough oxygen?
All of the pitchers you speak about had very good defenses behind them. Are you familiar with Khris Mihm (Cal State Northridge) and Katie McWhirter (UCSB) at Monrovia behind the duo?. Have you heard of Shelby and Dusty Gibbs and Caitlin Grimes with Ms Rodriguez and a very strong defense behind Ms Doeppel? That is not the case with Ms Ferri. There is virtually no high level softball experience on that team defensively to support her. That is why she regularly strikes out 18 batters and loses games. And Escamilla in a very weak division 7, also had some kids that can play ball behind her in Barabara Parker among a few others as well as a very competent coach with good game strategy
And to answer your question about her skill, you need to see her pitch. She has command of several pitches both up and down and in and out and throws well into the 60's, she also hits for power and is probably the best hitter on the team. She is going to Harvard because she is smart and had several D1 options. She plays on a very high level Gold team (Valley Breeze) and led them to a twelfth place finish at Nationals last year and I believe she only gave up a couple of runs the whole tournament.
Try not to to live in the past, you are so 2006!
Chky:
This time I must agree with the staff and you are wrong! The team with the best pitcher in softball does win. The best pitchers just dont lose that many games... Take a look back over the past couple seasons: Rodriguez, Doeppel, Monrovia's duo and last year Escamilla... None of those girls lost 10 games in a year? This is my problem with FSH being number one. How did Ferri become the areas number 1 pitcher? Based on what? Perhaps pitching is down locally??
Mr Lair,
Please do not take this as personal, I just hope that you watch for the teams who schedule tougher competition this year and build momentum toward the end of the year and improve because they have challenged themselves with their schedule.
The only pick I have a problem with is FSH at #1, because their defense and hitting is so incredibly unproven. I had them high in my picks because of Ferri, but not #1. I can't believe that was a coaches concensus. It had to be La Canada.
i agreee. just because Ferri is the best pitcher doesnt mean she has the best team.Great pitchers carry a team with little help from teamates so therefore the team could win on the sole basis of Ms. Ferri's pitching and not of the talent and skill of the team as a whole.
Area Fan,
Ferri is better than a decent pitcher, both runs scored by TC were unearned. This has been the story of their team. But it is also the problem in the way that Mr Lair picks softball teams. He as well as Mr Galletti, and for that matter Mr Robledo have had the assumption, for quite some time, that the team with the best pitcher is the best team. They have made the distinction about softball and lessened the significance of the game in general because of it. And although pitching is very important, like in baseball, nobody strikes out every batter and nobody wins 0-0. The game requires strategy, hitting, and play making ability. Even in a 1-0 game someone has to put themselves in the position to score and someone has to knock them in, or it happens through errors. These moments and games expose the essence of a team.
That is why, Miguel, I was hoping that we would have a breath of fresh air with a new commentator, in you, this year, but unfortunately it looks like our main correspondent is going to be Mr Lair. This means a dose of the same minimal understanding of the game and the familiar lack of attention to details and an odd sense of favoritism that doesn't make much sense.
Please save us Miguel so that the bitterness doesn't rise to the top, please save us from a reporter who is looking down at his crossword puzzle when a play happens and then asks the person next to him what happened, please save us from a world that when Arcadia wins one game they will automatically shoot up to #1, please save us from Mr. Lair.
#7 team should be Keppel, not Rosemead as stated by Mr. Lair...
Are you crazy? Where do you come up with this stuff? Time will tell as the cream will rise but come...
FSH: Overrated. Ferri is decent but she lost 10 games last year and they lost to a pitching shy TC in a somewhat sloppy scrimmage last weekend.
La Canada: Overrated. Lost their last 7 or 8 games last year! They will struggle with Monrovia who will be back! RHL finish: 1. TC 2. SP 3. Monrovia 4. LC
Alverno was Escamilla and the last I recall she's gone.
Prep and Poly both got blown out by Marantha (who will be in your top three once they get both Summer girls back into their line-up).
Arcadia: Overrated. Barchon and who? Will be lucky to win 10 games. Oh wait they play PHS and MUIR about 6 times...
Rosemead.... Rosemead????
Sure we understand this is only a preseason poll but are you ranking teams on subscribers? Do your homework.
shelby gogreve is verbally committed junior to Indiana.
Nice effort on the top ten, I think that FSH on top is a stretch, but they do have the best pitcher. It does however seem that the RHL teams tend to challenge themselves more during the regular season and end up being the better teams down the stretch. But since a lot of these teams do play each other it should work itself out.
It is going to be interesting to see what LaCanada is going to do with the hype. Last year with similar hype and the coach of the year honors they were still third place in the RHL.
LOL
veronica is in my spanish class.. its so funny