By george albano
Staff Writer
FARRAH MAFFAI Lakewood BlueClaws outfielder Chris Roberson bounces a ball off his forearm during Fan Day at FirstEnergy Park on April 1.The BlueClaws play their home opener tonight against the Greensboro Bats.
The Allentown High School girls’ softball team has certainly found the Colonial Valley Conference to its liking so far.
The Lady Redbirds left the Shore Conference to join the CVC in 2001, and were co-champions in their very first season. Last year they went 18-8 and won the conference crown outright.
An impressive start, to say the least.
With the start of the 2003 season last week, Allentown has its sights set on a three-peat.
But a third-straight league championship could be a little tough, especially with the graduation of pitcher Abby Cottrell, a three-year starter on the mound who’s now playing at the University of Tennessee.
The good news, however, is Allentown lost only one other starter from last year: left fielder and leadoff batter Ali Van Horn. Otherwise, everyone is back.
"We have a good mix of experience and some new players," head coach Bob DiBernardo said.
DiBernardo is no stranger to success on the softball diamond. Now in his 17th year of coaching high school girls’ softball, he has led his teams to 11 conference championships.
In fact, this is his second tour of duty at Allentown. He coached the Redbirds in 1997, and returned four years later to lead AHS to the first of its back-to-back titles.
He and the Redbirds began their third season last week with a 5-2 win over Princeton, but then lost a 2-1, eight-inning heartbreaker to Steinert to take a 1-1 record into this week’s game against Princeton Day School.
Monday’s unexpected snowfall will undoubtedly set the team back, at least temporarily.
"Up to that point it had been cold, but we got seven scrimmages in," DeBernardo said. "But now we’ll probably be inside for awhile."
When they eventually get back outside, the Redbirds will pin their hopes on junior pitcher Margaret Ryan, the regular first baseman a year ago and No. 2 pitcher behind Cottrel.
"She’s pitched a little as a freshman and sophomore, so she has some experience," DiBernardo said. "She looks very good so far this season."
Meanwhile, senior Nicole Stanke, a four-year varsity starter, is also back, and after playing shortstop for the last two years, she has moved over to second base.
The keystone combination will remain the same as junior Briana Feola, who started at first base as a freshman and at second as a sophomore, is at shortstop this season. Both Stanke and Feola hit over .300 last season with Stanke also providing some power in the middle of the lineup.
Another key player is senior Kim Demkowicz at first base, while freshman third baseman Caitlin Ryan, Margaret’s sister, rounds out a solid defensive infield.
The outfield is also strong with junior Kristin Kuzma in left, junior power hitter Courtney Rubik in center, and senior Chelsea Hare in right. All three saw extensive varsity action a year ago.
So did Colleen Keeley, another junior who is the starting catcher for the second consecutive year.
Some talented freshmen will provide Allentown with depth as Carly Meshiz backs up Keeley behind the plate, Carly Boyce can play either infield or outfield, and Katie Sansouci made the team as a backup pitcher.
Sophomore Ally Walsh has also looked good on the mound and can play either corner infield position.
"If we play to our capabilities, we’ll be fine," DiBernardo said. "We’ve got to play defense. We have to get timely hitting and, of course, we need solid pitching, but I think we’ve got that."
If he’s right, then the Allentown girls’ softball team could very well be looking at a three-peat in 2003.
"It could be a challenge," DiBernardo said, "but we’re working hard at it."