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Varsity 541 NEWS NOW Hope Village supporters get new hope ... Teen gets probation after sexually abusing girl ... Man accused of using dead girlfriend's ID for thefts ... Hope Village supporters get new hope ... Teen gets probation after sexually abusing girl ... Man accused of using dead girlfriend's ID for thefts ... PREP NOTEBOOK North-South softball tilt today shapes up to be pivotal Comment By Kris Henry Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Kris Henry Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 14, 2015 at 2:00 AM By Kris Henry Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 14, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Social News It could be a defining moment when North Medford and South Medford meet today on the softball diamond at South Medford High. When the dust settles after today’s 4:30 p.m. clash, only one-third of the Southwest Conference schedule will have been completed. Still, there’s no denying the confidence could skyrocket for whichever team comes out on top. “For us, this week’s the gauntlet of games and we’ve known that heading in,” said North Medford head coach Mike Mayben. “With South Medford and then two against Grants Pass, that’s three really tough games. We’ll find out really who we are this week.” Conversely, South Medford will find out how far it’s come since a surprising run to the Class 6A state semifinals a year ago, and maybe exorcise some demons in the process. “I think it’s a huge game just for the rivalry part of it in this town,” said South Medford head coach Miranda Gillaspie-Smith. “Whether it’s basketball, baseball, football, softball or whatever, it doesn’t matter what sport, in this town for us it’s just as big. But even with that, it’s also early in the season and we have a long ways to go that even a win doesn’t define our season.” “I think both teams are really looking forward to it and we’re hoping we get some sunshine Tuesday,” she added, “but really it’s just a check mark we’re trying to get past tomorrow.” Gillaspie-Smith, in her fifth season at the helm of the Panthers, said there’s no program she respects more than North Medford’s, dating back to when Larry Binney was head coach. That respect has been well-earned given the number of conference and state titles won by the Black Tornado, which is on a pretty impressive run in league competition under Mayben’s guidance. North Medford (7-2, 6-0 SWC) enters today’s contest having won 45 straight conference games, and 22 in a row over South Medford (10-1, 5-1). The Black Tornado’s last conference loss came May 5, 2011 in a 6-5 setback to Crater. The last time North Medford lost to South Medford was in a 4-3, eight-inning affair at Fagone Field on April 15, 2008. After starting with an inexperienced lineup to begin the season, Mayben said his team is beginning to turn the corner behind the steady battery of junior pitcher Sarah Thomas and junior catcher Tra Kucera and key hitting by seniors Grace Jovanovic, Janelle Rodgers and Christina Kuykendall. “We’re starting to catch up to the speed of the game and kind of figuring things out,” said Mayben, whose team graduated six starters off last year’s state runner-up squad. “I think we’re still a young team so we’re going to have our bumps in the road, but we’re happy with the progress being made.” Thomas has asserted herself inside the circle and stands 5-0 entering today’s game, with Kucera supplying good work at catcher and in the leadoff spot of the lineup. North Medford was tabbed to finish second to Grants Pass in the preseason coaches poll but Mayben said he hasn’t seen any pressing on the Tornado’s part to prove a point. “I’ve never really felt that this year,” said the 10th-year head coach. “This group really is focused on day-to-day improvement. I think they see enough in themselves to know they just need to do something to get them better and not worry about what others think.” That mantra served South Medford well last year during its late-season run, and Gillaspie-Smith said it’s been a holdover to this season and led to a successful start. “I think a big part of where we are now started from last year’s run at the end of the season,” she said. “We gained momentum when we needed it and were hitting our stride going into the playoffs. That was huge, not only for team chemistry and competitive nature but really for the kids buying into South Medford softball. It’s amazing what a couple wins can really do for your entire program.” With the bulk of last year’s squad still in the fold, led by sophomore ace Pat Moore, the Panthers are confident and have taken a more consistent approach this season. “Our mindset now is not just to be underdogs but that we want to compete and go after everyone this year,” said Gillaspie-Smith, whose team was picked fourth in the preseason SWC poll. With Moore, who is 10-1, providing lockdown pitching to fellow sophomore battery mate Bailee Tatum, South Medford has been steady on defense and shared the wealth on offense with a host of contributors, much like North Medford. Hannah Newman has belted three home runs to lead the charge with fellow seniors Rachael Moore, Krystal Williams, Marissa Tarazon and Hannah Smith. “Everybody naturally has a couple holes in the batting order but this year we’re putting up good numbers at the bottom and at the top of the lineup,” said Gillaspie-Smith. “It’s been a total team effort.” South Medford came close to breaking its drought against the Tornado last year in a 1-0 thriller that was ultimately decided on an error, as well as a 3-1 contest. Prior to that, one would have to go back to 2011 for clashes that were as close. “I visualize it every single day from last year,” Gillaspie-Smith said of the narrow 1-0 loss. “We just have to compete for seven innings and if we do that and play our game, we know we can win that ballgame. That’s not a knock on them because they compete really hard, it’s just that there wasn’t much that separated us in a couple of those games.” “Win or lose,” she added, “we know we still have 14 (SWC games) left after Tuesday so we’re just going to go out and compete and see where we stand at the end of the seventh inning.” Reach reporter Kris Henry at 541-776-4488, [email protected], www.facebook.com/krishenryMT or www.twitter.com/Kris_Henry By Kris Henry Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Kris Henry Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 14, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction Schedules & Events --> Recent Scores --> Prep Notebook Kris Henry Challengers make it back on top in softball Winning the Southern Cascade League title seemed like a pretty bold goal this spring considering the recent history of the Cascade Christian... 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