Softball Preview: James Wood brings back talent, adds more

By ROBERT NIEDZWIECKI | The Winchester Star
Mar 17, 2018

A James Wood softball team coming off a strong 2017 season looks like it could be even better this year.

The Colonels won the Northwestern District championship and were the only Winchester-Frederick County school to qualify for region tournament play last year. James Wood brings back seven all-conference players from that team.

Winning the Class 4 Northwestern District title won’t be easy this year. Fauquier brings back second team All-4A West Region pitcher Sarah Lamper from a team that made it to the 4A West Region quarterfinals last year, and Sherando returns a lot of offensive firepower.

One of those seven James Wood 2017 all-conference selections — senior pitcher/infielder and Lauren King, a first-team pick and The Winchester Star Softball Player of the Year in 2017 — is out until at least early April with a knee injury. But James Wood still features seven active all-conference players.

Sophomore Ivy Rosenberry — a transfer from Millbrook who led the area in batting average (.594, 19 hits in 32 at-bats) and ranked sixth in RBIs (19) as a first-team all-conference flex/designated player in 2017 — has made an impact at the plate and in the pitching circle in helping the Colonels get off to a 2-0 start.

Senior Lani Spielman (82/3 innings, three hits, 11 strikeouts) and Rosenberry (51/3 innings, two hits, 11 strikeouts) have combined to shut out each of James Wood’s opponents (2-0 over Clarke County on Tuesday, 6-0 over Class 4 Northwestern District foe Kettle Run on Wednesday).

With Spielman (8-2, 65 strikeouts, 2.77 ERA in 502/3 innings last year) and Rosenberry (46 strikeouts in 302/3 innings) supporting King (10-1, 93 strikeouts and 1.41 ERA in 781/3 innings last year), James Wood has significant depth and talent in the pitching circle. Spielman and Rosenberry were both second-team all-conference pitching selections last year.

The three are some of the area’s best hitters, too. King hit .500 and drove in 25 runs. Spielman, a shortstop, hit .443 with 25 RBIs as a second-team all-conference selection at second base last year.

Headlined by senior catcher Lindsey Anderson (first team all-conference, second team 4A West Region last year), the Colonels have plenty of pop in their rest of their lineup. Anderson, the only local player to make first or second team all-region last year, hit .500 with 30 RBIs.

James Wood’s lineup also features first team all-conference outfielders Camrynn Rizzari (.362, 13 RBIs) and Emma Van Horn (.313, 17 RBIs).

Sherando (14-8 last year) handed James Wood its only district loss last year, and the Warriors will be loaded on offense in 2018 as they look to make their own run at the Class 4 Northwestern District title. The Warriors return six all-conference players. They are off to a 1-1 start after defeating Brentsville 15-2 on Tuesday and losing 19-0 to two-time defending Class 4 state champion Woodgrove.

Sherando’s four returning first team selections are senior first baseman Korenn Paige (.423, 17 RBIs), senior third baseman Tori Seymour (.375, five home runs, 23 RBIs) and sophomore outfielders Blake Conner (.414, 15 RBIs) and Brooke Moses (.348, 12 RBIs).

Sherando will have to make do this year without its No. 1 pitcher from 2017 though. River Baird, a junior, transferred to Handley. (Handley coach David Stokes said Baird is at the school but is not playing for the Judges.) Baird had a 2.53 ERA in 661/3 innings last year in addition to hitting .396 with 16 RBIs and an area-best six home runs at the plate.

The Warriors do bring back second team all-conference pitcher Lauren Smith (3-2 with a 2.35 ERA in 382/3 innings last year), and sophomore Sierra Strosnider went 2-0 with 16 strikeouts and a 1.15 ERA in 181/3 innings last year.

Millbrook lost Rosenberry and adds one new player, so the Pioneers hopes the team’s familiarity with each other helps them improve on last year’s 4-15 season.

The Pioneers (0-2 this year) feature one returning all-conference player in second team shortstop Katie Tirona (.308 average, two home runs, nine RBIs, 17 runs), who will play for Bridgewater College next year. Sophomore Sophie Pell also returns. She hit .339 with six RBIs and 17 runs last year as a catcher, and she started and pitched four innings in Millbrook’s season-opening loss to Manassas Park.

Handley went 6-13 last year to double its win total from 2016. The Judges (0-2 this year) return seven starters and are led by first team all-conference utility selection Meghan Stokes. The junior hit .489 and drove in 15 runs last year and went 5-10 with 74 strikeouts (third in the area) in the circle.

Among Handley’s other returners are junior outfielder Qiana Wedlock (.324, 10 RBIs) and senior first baseman Linsey Martin (12 RBIs, 14 runs, nine doubles).

In the Bull Run District, Clarke County brings back an experienced group that went 17-7 and was one win short of qualifying for the Class 2 state tournament last year. The Eagles finished second in the Bull Run District to Class 2 state champ Madison County.

The Eagles feature three seniors who were second team All-2A East Region selections and All-Conference 35 selections.

Megan Hicks led the area with 115 strikeouts in 962⁄ 3 innings and tied James Wood’s King for the area lead in victories (Hicks went 10-7). Offensively, she hit .419 with five home runs, 18 RBIs and had a team-best 27 runs.

Jade Feltner is another veteran arm (6-0 with a 2.01 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 451/3 innings, second team all-district). She was all-region as an outfielder, hitting .419 with 17 RBIs.

Senior catcher Chelsea Trenary led Clarke in batting average (.444), RBIs (an area-best 33) and belted four home runs.

The following is a glance at each area team. Roster information and outlook statements are provided by coaches:

James Wood

Head coach: Todd Baker, fourth year.

Last season: 18-5 (7-1 Northwestern District); Northwestern District champions; lost to Loudoun Valley in the 4A West Region first round.

Key losses: Courtney Harper, Alyssa Brown, Afton Sykes.

Top returning players: Lauren King, Sr. P; Lani Spielman, Sr. P/IF; Lindsey Anderson, Sr. C; Camrynn Rizzari, Sr. OF; Emma Van Horn, Jr. OF; Haley Kaiser, Jr. IF/OF (second team all-conference, .325, 14 runs); Rebecca Boone, Jr. C/IF (second team all-conference, .404, 12 RBIs).

Top newcomers: Ivy Rosenberry, So. P/IF/OF.

Baker’s outlook: “We are returning a large number of players from last year’s team and plan to be a strong contender in the district this year.”

Next game: Today vs. Spring Mills, W.Va. (DH), noon

Sherando

Head coach: Clarence Smith, seventh year.

Last season: 14-8 (6-2 Northwestern District); lost to James Wood in the Conference 21 West semifinals.

Key losses: Marissa Webb, Emily Walker, River Baird.

Top returning players: Korenn Paige, Sr. 1B; Brooke Moses, Jr. OF; Tori Seymour, Sr. 3B, Blake Conner, So. OF; Lauren Smith, So. P (.392, 15 RBIs); Sierra Strosnider, So. SS (second team all-conference, .314, 14 RBIs).

Top newcomers: Veronika Lord, So. IF.

Smith’s outlook: “Our top four pitchers are sophomores and I’m really excited about their potential and their future. Lauren Smith and Sierra Strosnider will anchor our staff and the other two will get a baptism by fire with plenty of opportunities to make a name for themselves in the circle. While our pitching staff is young, they are very talented so it will be up to us coaches to help them achieve our goals. Our expectations haven’t changed: We expect to challenge for the district championship. Our lineup is full of young ladies with plenty of varsity experience so we expect our offense to lead the way and score plenty of runs this season while our pitching matures.”

Next game: Today at Clarke County (DH), noon

Millbrook

Head coach: Amanda Madden, sixth year.

Last season: 4-15 (1-7 Northwestern District); lost to Woodgrove in the Conference 21 West semifinals.

Key losses: Ivy Rosenberry.

Top returning players: Katie Tirona, Sr. IF; Danielle Vanderhoof, Jr.; P/IF; Emma Badnek, So. IF; Daeshanelle Thomas, Sr. IF; Sophie Pell, So. IF/P; Rylee Warchola, Sr. C, OF; Holley Smith, Jr., OF; Aubrey McLarn, Sr. OF; Eliza Grigsby, Sr. IF; Cara George, Sr. OF.

Top newcomers: Mia Kincaid, Fr. IF.

Madden’s outlook: “We have a lot of experienced players. With only one new addition to our team this year I hope we can continue to build on our end-of-year strides. There are a lot of competitive teams in the area, but I have never seen any of my kids back down from a challenge, and an opportunity to get better. We plan to take the season one game at a time, one inning at a time, one pitch at a time.”

Next game: Monday vs. Skyline, 4 p.m.

Handley

Head coach: David Stokes, fifth year.

Last season: 6-13 (1-7 Northwestern District); lost to Sherando in the Conference 21 West first round.

Key losses: Robin Blowers.

Top returning players: Meghan Stokes, Jr. utility; Linsey Martin, Sr. 1B; Sarah Elson, Sr. SS; Qiana Wedlock, Sr. OF; Dasha Harris, Jr. 3B; Amelia Strawderman, Sr. C.

Top newcomers: Neysha Washington Jr. 2B; Logan Krupsky, So. P/OF, Zhanaya Thomas Sr. OF.

Stokes’ outlook: “I hope our experience pays off. I have seven returning starters. We were more competitive last year. This group of seniors made the commitment to their school and the team in the offseason to build on last year.”

Next game: Tuesday vs. Fauquier, 6 p.m.

Clarke County

Head coach: Susan Grubbs, 30th year.

Last season: 17-7 (12-2 Bull Run District); lost in 2A East Region semifinals to Goochland.

Key losses: Dani Bloomingdale, Haley Haun, Sheilia Nappi.

Top returning players: Megan Hicks Sr. P/OF; Jade Feltner Sr. P/OF; Chelsea Trenary Sr. C; Whitney Mitchell Sr. SS.

Top newcomers: Alyssa Hoggatt Fr. OF; Kileigh Smallwood Fr. Utility.

Grubbs’ outlook: “We enter the season with high expectations having four seniors that have started since their freshman year. We have a solid group of sophomores returning as well. As always we want to win the Bull Run District and advance farther in the postseason. Last year we lost in the regional semifinals and gave Madison County its only loss of the season.”

Next game: Today vs. Sherando (DH), noon.

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