| Softball Ready for Season (2/08) | | Print | |
| Written by Tiffany Leung | |
|
Coming off an almost perfect season last year, this year’s softball team has some pretty big shoes to fill.
With five seniors gone, including four starters, and a smaller team than the year before, defending the city championship title may be challenging for the Cardinals. However, head coach Sascha Ray isn’t too worried. “We have some great returning players, and we also picked up a few girls that have more talent than what I have picked in the past years,” she said. Ray settled for a smaller team, explaining that she took “girls who already knew how to play softball” who will hone their skills and become a better team. To some people, the reduced size may seem like a disadvantage, but to senior co-captain and pitcher Samia Zuber, it’s all about quality not quantity. “We have a great team full of dedicated girls and lots of talent,” she said. The Cardinals’ three returning All-League selections from last year — Zuber, senior co-captain and shortstop Rubye Chu and sophomore pitcher Alina Werth — look to lead their team past the competition and defend the championship title. For the past 18 years, Washington and Lowell have shared the AAA title. The Eagles also have competitive girls in a powerful lineup that will give the Cardinals a run for their money. Crucial to the Cardinals’ success over the Eagles last year was Werth, who also helped take down the Lincoln Mustangs in the championship game when she picked up her team coming out of the bullpen after starting pitcher Zuber ran out of gas. Only a freshman last year, Werth is definitely a player to watch out for in this year’s title face-off. Complicating this battle is the fact that the Cardinals are having a hard time finding a field to practice on, competing with an ever-growing little league at Larson Field on 19th Avenue. Space on the Lowell soccer field is also limited due to other sports and activities, primarily baseball and soccer. Moreover, rainy weather closed fields for weeks at a time. The Cardinals’ first season game is at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday at South Sunset against International Studies Academy. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
to listen.
