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--> --> March 15: Grizz softball team loaded for 2002 By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings They're coming off a season in which they made the playoffs for just the second time in team history. They return 12 of the 14 players from that squad, including all four of their 2001 league all-stars. They have one of the best pitchers in the conference. The table is set for the Ashland softball team. The only question is, will they eat. This year's edition of the Ashland Grizzlies has the potential to do what no other softball team in school history has been able to pull off: Win a state playoff game. The Grizzlies, who open Southern Oregon Conference play April 2 against Roseburg, finished third in the conference last year before losing in the first-round of state to Rex Putnam. Led by first-team all-SOC shortstop Cat Clason and second-team pitcher Megan Beugli, the Grizzlies finished 9-5 in league play last year, 11-9 overall. With Clason, a senior, and Beugli, a junior, coming back, along with second-team all-SOC outfielder Stephanie Hargis and honorable mention outfielder Sara Joy Burnson, the Grizzlies are in line to improve on that mark this season. After Thursday's 4-0 preseason loss to South Medford - a game which featured most of South's starters against most of Ashland's bench - Grizz coach Rich Beugli spoke in glowing terms about his team's talent, but added that it's still anyone's conference. "If things go our way, we'll be right there, but if the ball bounces the wrong way, we're not," coach Beugli said. "The four teams that go (to state) from the SOC, any of them will have a shot to go a long way at state. The conference is that deep. There will not be a deeper conference in the state, period." Ashland's chances primarily will rest on the shoulders of Megan Beugli, who had a 1.01 earned run average in league play last year. If Beugli does that again this season, the Grizzlies won't need a lot out of their offense. The older Beugli said the Grizzlies will go as far as their pitcher can take them. "We only have one (pitcher) and that's Megan Beugli," coach Beugli said. "We'll ride her wherever we go." The offense has the potential to make things easier on the all-star pitcher. Led by Clason, who batted .400 last season, and Hargis, who batted .325, the Grizzlies will field a potent attack - an attack they put on display in a 7-0 season-opening victory over Yreka on Tuesday. They couldn't score against South Medford Thursday, but that was with their back-ups going against the Panther's No. 1 pitcher, something coach Beugli was quick to point out. "We will score on them when we see them in conference," Beugli said. As for the rest of the league, the Grizzlies will have their work cut out for them. "The SOC is going to be very tough," coach Beugli said. "You saw right here, this is the same caliber as several teams. It's going to be a battle. I honestly can't tell you who's going to win it. It's going to be a dog fight. "North, which is generally the powerhouse, is down this year, and South is much improved ... Grants Pass is going to be tough, Roseburg's always tough, Crater's going to be tough, Eagle Point's improved. Everybody made improvements from last year with the exception maybe of Klamath Falls." The Grizzlies first game in front of their home fans with their regular lineup is today, at Mountain Avenue Park against Henley. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing