Matoaca
2014 Record: 14-4
Lost in 5A South Region quarters to Atlee
Key Players: Allie Fitzke, senior, third base; Brooke Flowers, junior, catcher; Katie Higgins, freshman; pitcher
Key Losses: Jessica McCabe (JMU), Maya Bailey (Virginia State), Taylor Clark
Armed with Fitzke and several other seniors to lead the way, Matoaca begins the Greg Hunt era, following the retirement of long time head coach Scott Driskill. Jessica McCabe, who dominated the area for the better part of three years, is at James Madison University. Replacing her will be Higgins, a freshman. Early returns and reports have been very good, and she’ll be one to watch this season. Fitzke is tough, solid at plate, and is a plus defender. Brooke Flowers is a strong catcher, and may be one of the more overlooked/underrated players in the area. Senior Katy Glass senior will roam the outfield and provide another solid bat for the Warriors.
Meadowbrook
2014 Record: 4-16
Lost in Conference 12 quarters to Manchester
Key Players: Sydney Foster, junior, pitcher; Ashley Judge, year, first base; Joanna Ross, sophomore, second base
Key Losses: Kiera Randolph
Meadowbrook softball has been able to win games in each of it’s past couple seasons, an improvement from a program that has struggled to keep its head above water. There are still bright spots on the diamond, as the Monarchs strive to improve on a four win 2014 campaign. Foster will be the Monarchs’ primary pitcher this season and struck out five batters in the season opener vs. Highland Springs. Ashley Judge and Joanna Ross are the team’s best position players.
Thomas Dale
2014 Record: 9-10
Lost in Conference 3 quarters to Patrick-Henry Roanoke
Key Players: Jordan Starke, senior, pitcher; Lauryn King, sophomore, outfield; Courtney Robinette, junior, infield/outfield; Rayana Hill, junior, catcher; Sarah Ridgeway, junior, shortstop
The Knights return all nine starters from a team that showed great potential in Head Coach Mike Zuk’s first year on the job. While Cosby is still the leader of the pack, gradual improvement from a young group of girls with great chemistry could cause the Titans to keep an eye on their rear view mirror. Jordan Starke is the team’s only senior and is headed to Guilford College next year. She’s the staff ace and the team’s leader. A talented young quartet will boost the Knights again this year as All-Conference 3 outfielder King returns, swinging a big stick (.447, 2 HR). Robinette, Hill and Ridgeway are all rock solid players and all hit .321 or better last season. Each of the aforementioned players are good with the glove.
L.C. Bird
Lost to Prince George in Conference 12 quarters
Key Players: Kasey St. Clair, senior, third base; Ashley Fritz, junior, outfield; Lexi Brown, senior, pitcher.
Key Losses: Carrie Cochran (Darlington Tech), Kim Ellis (Richard Bland), Stephanie Davenport
The Skyhawks are under their second new head coach in as many years as Lynne Gilbert takes over in 2015. While Cochran, Davenport and Ellis were key cogs in the line-up last year, L.C. Bird returns a few strong players. Brown is an experienced pitcher and the staff ace. St. Clair, a third baseman transferred from Manchester last year and made an instant splash. She’ll be playing college ball at a Richard Bland next year. Summer Bolton is strong at first base. Ashley Fritz has wheels and is a solid contact hitter with a knack for hitting triples. Consistency will be key for L.C. Bird to improve in 2015.
