PLAYER OF THE YEAR

* Julie Green, Dulaney, senior, pitcher -- She may not have been the hardest-throwing pitcher in Baltimore County, but she was the most effective.

What she lacked in velocity, the left-handed windmiller made up for with pitch selection, location and preparation.

"She mixed up her pitches well," Dulaney coach Elaine Lindsay said. "It wasn't her just trying to throw the ball by the batters. She really went over with the catcher and other coaches where she should pitch to each batter to expose their weaknesses."

Green went 16-2 with an 0.76 ERA to lead the Lions to the Baltimore County championship. She allowed 59 hits in 119 innings, struck out 155 and walked 31.

Only two one-run losses to Perry Hall (1-0 and 2-1) kept her from an undefeated season.

She also worked hard to improve her hitting. An excellent bunter, Green could hit the ball with authority as well.

Green batted .362 with a .523 on-base percentage. She led Dulaney in hits (25) and runs (30) and had five doubles.

"She got timely hits and was a very aggressive base runner," Lindsay said. "You could always expect her to take the appropriate extra base."

COACH OF THE YEAR

* Rick Wiscott, Franklin -- Three years ago, Wiscott stepped down as head baseball coach at Franklin after 19 seasons. And last fall, he decided that his 14th season as assistant football coach would be his last.

The only sport on Wiscott's mind was golf -- playing it, not coaching. So when he was asked to take the vacant position as head softball coach at Franklin, Wiscott initially turned it down.

After giving the idea some thought, however, Wiscott reconsidered. And the rookie softball coach made quite an impression.

With pitching expert Buddy Widerman assisting, Wiscott took over a team that was 4-11 last season and guided it to a 16-3 record. The Indians fell one game short of making their first trip to the state semifinals since 1981.

Franklin finished third in the Baltimore County 3A-4A League, with its only division losses coming to county champion Dulaney and Class 4A state finalist Perry Hall.

Wiscott expected a rebuilding season and successfully blended three freshmen with a core of returning seniors.

Coaching girls was a new experience for Wiscott.

"I'm a very competitive person, and I didn't think the girls would be as competitive as I am," said Wiscott, who led Franklin's baseball team to a state title in 1985. "But that wasn't a problem. We have some real hard-nosed players. I was impressed with that."

THE FIRST TEAM AT A GLANCE

* Valerie Argentino, Catholic, senior, infielder -- Whether she played third base or shortstop, Argentino's range and quickness made her an asset in the field. She hit .500 with 15 RBIs. Argentino also was second on the team in stolen bases with 13. "She's a real gutsy player," Catholic coach Charles Hofferbert said. "She's the only player that I ever saw practice a head-first slide."

* Kim Aviles, Western, junior, catcher -- Not only did Aviles have an impressive year offensively and defensively, she took an inexperienced pitcher under her wing as the Doves won their fourth consecutive City-Wide League title. She led the team in hitting (.528) and home runs (two) and had four doubles, five triples and 25 RBIs. "She did a good job holding runners on, and she exhibited tremendous team leadership," Western coach Shirley Williams said.

* Beckie Baker, Perry Hall, senior, designated hitter -- With Baker on the mound, the Gators made their first appearance in the Class 4A state championship game since 1979. Baker went 13-3 through the regional playoffs with a 0.75 ERA, allowing 41 hits and striking out 107 in 92 2/3 innings. She also was the team's clean-up hitter, batting .325 with a team-high 16 stolen bases. Baker is headed to Ferrum College.

* Cindy Coleman, Franklin, senior, infielder -- Coleman led the Indians with a .531 average, three home runs and 36 RBIs. "I was afraid to pitch to her in practice," coach Wiscott said. Formerly a pitcher, Coleman was moved to third this season and showed gradual improvement. She didn't have great range but made the routine plays.

* Chrissy Creighton, McDonogh, junior, outfielder -- When she wasn't knocking in runs, Creighton was saving them. Her speed and strong arm made Creighton one of the top left fielders in the area. "She made some outstanding running catches," McDonogh coach Mickey Deegan said. Creighton also led the Eagles in hitting (.429), RBIs (21) and stolen bases (22).

* Kristan Ehrman, IND, junior, infielder -- A quiet leader, the Indians' team captain let her actions speak for her. Ehrman led the Catholic League runner-up in hitting (.452), home runs (five), triples (three) and RBIs (28), and she struck out just twice. The shortstop was also a fine defensive player. "She's a very intelligent player," IND coach Sandy Altadonna said. "She's quiet, but through her silence, she's a real tower of strength."

* Marie Morrow, Catholic, senior, outfielder -- An All-Catholic XTC League selection for the second consecutive season, Morrow batted .553 with five doubles and 18 RBIs. She is also an excellent center fielder. Morrow had three assists and committed one error. A knee injury from soccer limited Morrow to nine stolen bases.

* Jessica Owens, Towson, senior, utility -- She split her time between pitching and shortstop and was effective at both. Owens went 6-1 with a 1.93 ERA. She gave up 40 hits and 14 walks and struck out 99 in 76 innings. Owens also batted .380 with a .435 on-base percentage. She hit three triples, one home run and was 5-for-5 in stolen-base attempts.

* Samantha Porter, Patapsco, junior, outfielder -- She brought power as well as speed to the leadoff position. Porter hit .379 with six home runs and 22 RBIs. She stole 17 bases, had a .597 on-base percentage, a .758 slugging percentage and hit .583 with runners in scoring position. No one covered more ground in center field. "There was nothing she didn't get to," Patapsco coach Pat Poletynski said. "She was one of the few girls I've seen that can go back on a fly ball and make the catch."

* Lisa Riley, IND, senior, pitcher -- The void left by the graduation of All-Metro pitcher Christa Engleman was filled nicely by Riley, who went 10-3 with a 0.98 ERA. She walked just eight, struck out 106 and gave up 49 hits in 99 innings. Her fastball was her best pitch, but Riley's repertoire also included a change-up, drop, rise and curve. "She had big shoes to fill, but she came through and did the job for us," coach Altadonna said. Riley is headed to Catholic University.

* Nicole Walker, Towson, senior, infielder -- Despite playing most of the season with a sore shoulder, Walker led the Generals in hitting (.426) and on-base percentage (.518). Extremely fast, she stole 12 bases in 12 attempts. Walker solidified the left side of the infield for the Generals, committing just five errors at third base.

THE TEAMS

;/

Coach of the Year: Rick Wiscott, Franklin

Player of the Year: Julie Green, Dulaney

FIRST TEAM

Name, School, Year, Position

Julie Green, Dulaney, Senior, Pitcher

Lisa Riley, IND, Senior, Pitcher

Kim Aviles, Western, Junior, Catcher

Valerie Argentino, Catholic, Senior, Infielder

Cindy Coleman, Franklin, Senior, Infielder

Kristan Ehrman, IND, Junior, Infielder

Nicole Walker, Towson, Senior, Infielder

Chrissy Creighton, McDonogh, Junior, Outfielder

Marie Morrow, Catholic, Senior, Outfielder

Samantha Porter, Patapsco, Junior, Outfielder

Beckie Baker, Perry Hall, Senior, DH

Jessica Owens, Towson, Senior, Utility

SECOND TEAM

Name, School, Year, Position

Katie Marsheck, Dundalk, Junior, Pitcher

Kim Osborne, Western, Senior, Pitcher

Krista Cantafio, Catonsville, Senior, Catcher

Erin Fitzpatrick, Eastern Tech,,Senior, Infielder

Robin Johnson, IND, Sophomore, Infielder

Meg Kline, Mercy, Junior, Infielder

Jessica Loehr, Perry Hall, Junior, Infielder

Raina Arengo, Franklin, Senior, Outfielder

Shannon Dodge, Southern, Sophomore, Outfielder

Kerri Siess, Perry Hall, Sophomore, Outfielder

Colleen Bess, Kenwood, Senior, DH

Ann Phillips, Western, Senior, Utility

PICKING THE TEAMS

The Baltimore Sun 1994 All-Baltimore City/County softball team was selected by Kevin Eck after consultation with staff writers and county coaches.