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OVERCAST Temp: 51 °F Wind: WNW at 7 mph Wednesday, February 19, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend June 19, 2002 Binney, Sevano head all-state list By DON HUNT Mail Tribune Keri Sevano’s ascent to the top of the high school softball world didn’t begin during the first day of practice in March. It formed its roots well before that — during the summer, fall and winter months when many of her North Medford High classmates were playing other sports. Sevano’s year-round focus on softball paid big dividends Tuesday when the junior pitcher was named to the Oregonian’s Class 4A all-state first team. Not to be outdone, outgoing Black Tornado coach Larry Binney was selected the 4A coach of the year. Sevano posted a 20-1 record and 0.61 ERA in leading the Tornado to an improbable state championship. She outdueled Springfield’s Brieanne Thurn — the 4A state player of the year — 1-0 in a nerve- wracking state title game that needed 10 innings to complete. "I worked a lot in the off-season to improve my skills," Sevano said. "Me and (North Medford second baseman) Beth Morrill went to Portland pretty much every weekend last fall and played in tournaments. "And then during the winter I was outside pitching to my dad and sister. I felt a lot stronger once the season started." Sevano added a wicked rise ball to the drop ball and changeup she used last year, and the result was a near untouchable pitcher by season’s end. With the North Medford defense playing almost flawlessly behind her, Sevano allowed only two earned runs in 36 innings of postseason play. "She was very solid in every playoff game," Binney said. "She only gave up one big hit (an inside-the-park homer to Central Catholic’s Mindy O’Malley), but it was only one run and we won the game." Sevano credits senior catcher Britney Hillyer, who called nearly every pitch, for much of her success. "I only shook her off once the entire season," Sevano said. "She knew my strengths and the hitter’s weaknesses. I had total trust in her and she was definitely the leader of this team." Binney, meanwhile, earned his fifth state coach-of-the-year award in his 20 seasons with the Tornado. This might have been his best coaching job yet, considering the Tornado had to replace seven starters from 2001 and was no lock for the Southern Oregon Conference championship, let alone the state title. "The league was as tough as it’s ever been — we won five one-run games," Binney said. "I’m sure that helped us in the playoffs because we’d been in the heat of battle so many times." Binney’s formula for winning has never wavered: Focus on the fundamentals, don’t beat yourself and have fun each time out. "Our No. 1 priority every year is to have fun," he said. "I think that helps our girls to relax during pressure situations. "You look at our team this year and they just thrived on close games. They were out there doing everything it took to win but at the same time they were enjoying themselves." Binney is retiring after 32 years in the classroom and 20 years as the Tornado’s softball coach. He stepped down following the 2000 season but came back for one more year in 2002 when the school was in a pinch for a head coach. "I’m going to do a lot of fishing, hunting and traveling," Binney said. "And I’ll be the No. 1 Black Tornado fan no matter what sport it is." While Sevano was the lone North Medford player chosen to the first team, three of her teammates — senior catcher Hillyer, junior third baseman Corey Whitaker and junior outfielder Brandi Paxton — were selected to the second team. Grants Pass junior infielder Ashley Bellum, Grants Pass junior outfielder Clair Highfield, Roseburg senior infielder Shannon Burmeister and Klamath Union sophomore designated hitter/utility player Bess Fagan were all named to the third team . North Medford freshman outfielder Deni Rowley was tabbed honorable mention. Class 4A All-State Softball Team First Team PITCHER — Amy Harris, sr., North Eugene; Brieanne Thurn, sr., Springfield; Lorilyn Wilson, jr., Sprague; Keri Sevano, jr., North Medford. CATCHER — Lisa Allen, sr., Canby; Kelsea Schoenberg, sr., Springfield. INFIELD — Mindy O’Malley, sr., Central Catholic; Ashley Charters, so., Southridge; Lauren Cusick, so., South Salem; Megan Rock, sr., Canby. OUTFIELD — Shelly Steinke, sr., Canby; April Drews, sr., Springfield; Cassie Halvorson, sr., Hillsboro; Natalie Johnson, jr., Lake Oswego. DESIGNATED HITTER/UTILITY — Jessica Galaway, sr., Westview. Second Team PITCHER — Michelle Hext, sr., Sunset; Amy Klever, sr., Putnam; Sophie Barstad, jr., Canby. CATCHER — Britney Hillyer, sr., North Medford; Jodi Parmer, jr., Churchill. INFIELD — Corey Whitaker, jr., North Medford; Lisa Ash, sr., Canby; Kelly Odell, so., Westview; Cierra Mann, sr., Springfield; Angela Roberti, sr., Franklin; Stephanie Morgan, sr., Wilson. OUTFIELD — Lexie Costoc, sr., South Salem; Amelia Hastings, so., Barlow; Brandi Paxton, jr., North Medford; Jessie Woodcock, sr., Wilson. DESIGNATED HITTER/UTILITY — Jenna Wilson, so., Tualatin. THIRD TEAM PITCHER — Janessa Nash, sr., Barlow; Toni Herman, sr., Canby. CATCHER — Tabitha Fry, sr., Hermiston; Shannon Prochaska, jr., Aloha; Emily Nichols, so., Westview. INFIELD — Val Bertch, jr., Hermiston; Ashley Bellum, jr., Grants Pass; Gretchen Ruecker, sr., Glencoe; Randi Middagh, sr., Putnam; Shannon Burmeister, sr., Roseburg; Lisa Erwert, sr., Canby. OUTFIELD — Clair Highfield, jr., Grants Pass; Amy Schweikerd, jr., Westview; Nicole Obrist, sr., Clackamas; Chelsea McCall, sr., Gresham. DESIGNATED HITTER/UTILITY — Bess Fagan, so., Klamath Union. HONORABLE MENTION PITCHER — Holly Marlow, jr., Franklin; Adrian Herman, sr., Hermiston; Ashley Brown, jr., Lake Oswego. CATCHER — Kelly Mannion, sr., North Eugene; Jill Quesenberry, jr., Pendleton. INFIELD — Becky Weston, sr., North Eugene; Carrie Rom, sr., Central Catholic; Chelsea Pahl, jr., Pendleton; Nikki Hull, sr., Westview; Laura Kor, so., Westview. OUTFIELD — Kristi Strange, jr., Canby; Deni Rowley, fr., North Medford; Nicole Townsend, sr., Hermiston; Whitney Cave, sr., Central Catholic. DESIGNATED HITTER/UTILITY — Amy Wilken, sr., Marshall. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search M Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy web master feedback A D V E R T I S E R S