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Skyline play gets off to an early start By Greg Stiles The Skyline Conference softball season begins today. To most, the tail end of spring break is a tad early for conference play. "͒m not sure why they chose to start league (today) instead of Tuesday," North Valley coach Jeff Conard says. "It�s hard for the girls in town that come to practice and stay focused, knowing their friends are off to the coast, up in Portland or what have you." The sentiment is echoed by several Skyline coaches, some worrying if enough of their players will be back from vacation and healthy to compete. The 21-game Skyline Conference schedule provides for three games against each opponent. In the past, there were enough Tuesdays and Saturdays left after spring break to begin conference action when school was back in session. However, spring break came late this year. "We�ve played two games and that�s about what we usually get in before league play," says Henley coach Steve Rooklidge. "I don�t think starting (today) will be a factor." His team, picked to win its fourth straight conference crown, is ready to get on with it. Seven returning regulars � including two first-team and three second-team Skyline all-stars � from last year�s Class 3A semifinalist give the Hornets plenty of confidence heading into the 2001 campaign. "We do have a veteran team, and we expect to be better than last year," Rooklidge says. "I don�t want to make predictions, but we do have high expectations. We�ve won the last three league titles, and that�s valuable. When you have a history of winning, that helps you." Rogue River and Phoenix � two teams that reached the state playoffs last year � figure to contend for the championship, while Lakeview has a solid shot at the playoffs as well. In today�s doubleheaders, Phoenix is at Mazama, Illinois Valley travels to Rogue River, Henley calls on Hidden Valley and North Valley ventures to Lakeview. The first game�s start at noon. Three new coaches make their debut: Rainy Hoppins at Hidden Valley, Gary Pope at Illinois Valley and Conard at North Valley. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Jessica Birt and junior right fielder Katie Eck were both first-team all-conference picks last spring for Henley. Junior right-hander Krystal Young, senior catcher Emily Mills and junior second baseman Erika Clements were second-team choices. Senior shortstop Ollie Herbert is a four-year starter, and junior center fielder Kandice McClung also returns to the line-up. Fifth-year coach Dennis Artoff returns nine starters from a team that reached the second round of the state playoffs. Senior catcher Allison Bailey, senior first baseman Lacey Mack and senior center fielder Kelly Simmons were all first-team Skyline selections last spring. More importantly, honorable mention sophomore right-hander Katie Glasscock (15-2, 1.27 ERA) is back in the pitching circle. Sophomore shortstop Kristi Frederick and senior right fielder Tabitha Haberman also gained honorable mention. Senior second baseman Brittany Artoff, junior third baseman K.K. Smith and sophomore left fielder Melissa Day round out the returners. The Phoenix Pirates (3-1) return seven starters from 2000, but sore arms have veteran coach Steve Ficek concerned. "We took seven days off before going back to practice (Wednesday)," Ficek says." First-team all-star sophomore pitcher Tiffany Ross� right arm is the chief worry. She has all three Pirate wins, but left with the score tied 1-1 in a loss to Ashland. Senior first baseman Sutton Jackson was a second-team selection last year and will again be one of the Pirates� offensive leaders. Senior center fielder Chelsie Clark, sophomore shortstop Jennifer Dunlap, honorable mention senior left fielder Megan Capp, sophomore right fielder Kelsey Russell and junior pitcher-left fielder Kendra Kohler all started last year. Phoenix is helped by having home doubleheaders against Illinois Valley, Henley, Lakeview and Rogue River. The one thing the Pirates want to avoid is a slow start after having high hopes last year. "We had to win eight straight games just to get into the playoffs," Ficek says. "The key is to get two from Henley (April 13) here." Lakeview (2-1) is another veteran team, returning three honorable mention players: senior shortstop Brandi Winters, senior left fielder Sarah Hollars and senior center fielder-pitcher Jacque Johnson. Sophomore pitcher-third baseman Corey Saltmarsh and junior first baseman are also back, and sophomore second baseman Ashley Stewart could make a difference for the Honkers. The Cougars (2-2) are led by first-team all-star sophomore second baseman Tiphanie Pope. Senior shortstop-pitcher Rachel Pierce was a second-team choice. Senior first baseman Vanessa Box, senior outfielder Shannon D�Arpino, senior left fielder, Julie Shump, junior catcher-shortstop Sydney Derda, junior center fielder Kristie Cook and sophomore pitcher-infielder Sara Shinerock were all regulars a year ago. At Mazama, second-team senior outfielder Jenice Brasser returns along with senior first baseman Lori Jo Young, infielders Kara Scholer and Tia Chastain. North Valley (1-4) was to board the bus for Lakeview at 6 o�clock this morning and that�s a tough way to start for a team that was 4-17 in league a year ago. Senior pitcher Rachell Wardlaw and sophomore catcher Michelle Beck gained honorable mention last spring. They�re joined by returning regulars senior left fielder Hannah Plant, junior pitcher-third baseman Tara Ironside and junior center fielder Hannah Murray. Hidden Valley (0-4) hopes to improve on its 3-18 record in 2000. Honorable mention senior shortstop Rylee Davis returns along with senior catcher Elissa Hayworth and junior first baseman-pitcher Krista Hudson Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.