Public schools
Francis Scott Key Eagles
1998 record: 6-10
Coach: Joe Linthicum
Top players: Misti Myers, Jr., P; Meredith Carter, So., P; Megan Tracey, Sr., C; Cindi Stem, Sr., SS; Jordan Torbeck, Sr., 2B; Stephanie Robertson, Sr., 1B; Casey Henry, Jr., OF.
Outlook: Pitching looks to be the team's strength, with right-handers Myers and Carter splitting the duties. Each should benefit from a strong defense. The key will be scoring, something the Eagles didn't do often a year ago. Cleanup hitter Tracey hits for average, and the junior-dominated team has above-average quickness. Linthicum likes his squad's attitude and work ethic and is optimistic about its chances in the Monocacy Valley Athletic League. "They're all working very hard and playing as a unit," said Linthicum.
Liberty Lions
1998 record: 10-8
Coach: Nora Murray
Top players: Bethany Hall, So., P; Lindsay Rankin, So., P; Theresa Jason, Jr., CF; Robin McCormick, Jr., OF-Inf.-P; Tina Warholic, Jr., C-OF-Inf.; Tara Shoemaker, Sr., 3B; Becky Campagna, Sr., OF; Amber Frantz, So., LF.
Outlook: Eight starters return from a team that started 0-5 but finished a game behind North Carroll in the county standings and then got to the region final before losing to Damascus. The roster is filled with juniors, most in their third varsity seasons. Hall, a right-hander, is back after filling in last year as a freshman, and Rankin, another righty, has the tools to dominate. Jason could well be the county's best outfielder with her outstanding ability to track balls, arm and good bat. The Owls will find out how good they are right away in early tests against North Carroll and South Carroll. "I'm really hopeful," said Murray, whose team won 10 of its last 13 games a year ago. "I'd like to see us pick up where we left off."
North Carroll Panthers
1998 record: 13-4
Coach: Rich Harvey
Top players: Katie Mullinix, Sr., P; Angie Smith, Sr., P; Meredith Gill, Sr., SS; Sara Clark, Sr., 1B; Carla Ramirez, Sr., 3B; Beth Reeb, Jr., C.
Outlook: The Panthers, who lost to Liberty in last year's regional semifinals, have six returning starters, including the strong pitching duo of right-hander Mullinix and left-hander Smith. Mullinix and Smith are also among four returners, along with Gill and Clark, who batted over .300 a year ago. Along with the returners, however, North Carroll will also reap the rewards of a JV that was unbeaten last year and has lost just once in five years. Junior Lisa Tunney, a pitcher, and sophomores Becky Wike and Trish Brown, an outfielder and second baseman, respectively, will be expected to make solid contributions in their first varsity seasons. The big question will be the performance of an inexperienced outfield, which will include two JV call-ups and a junior, none of whom have significant outfield experience.
South Carroll Cavaliers
1998 record: 9-7
Coach: Debbie Eaton
Top players: Stephanie Wilson, Sr., OF; Melanie Amoss, Sr., 3B; Kristin Little, Sr., SS; Kim Lowry, So., C-Inf.; Ashley Taylor, So., P; Emily Wolfing, So., P; Amy Smith, Jr., P.
Outlook: With six returning seniors, the Cavaliers hope to improve upon last year's finish, when they lost to Liberty in the first round of the state playoffs after defeating the Lions twice during the regular season. Wilson provides the big bat in the middle of the lineup, and Amoss is a prototypical leadoff hitter. Generally, however, this team will have to rely on "little ball," bunting, stealing and sacrificing to score runs. On the mound, sophomores Taylor and Wolfing, both right-handers return, and left-hander Smith moves up from the JV. All are quality pitchers capable of holding their own, but shouldn't blow many hitters away. Lowry should also give the team a boost with her quickness and strong defensive play.
Westminster Owls
1998 record: 5-12
Coach: Lisa Harford
Top players: Heather Sinclair, Jr., P; Nichol Moehler, Fr., P; Amy Gorsuch, Jr., 3B; Karen Herbert, Sr., OF; JoAnnah Jennings, Jr., SS.
Outlook: The Owls are nearly certain to improve, having lost just three seniors and by adding freshman pitcher Moehler. The right-hander can throw five or six pitches and seems to have enormous potential. She will likely split mound duties with Sinclair, a junior who came up mid-season last year. Another player from a strong junior class is Gorsuch, a talented hitter who was called up for last year's playoffs. Herbert was an all-conference outfielder and Jennings is a smooth fielder with an improved bat. Harford likes her team's potential.
Private school
Carroll Christian Patriots
1998 record: 7-5
Coach: Lucille Cole
Top players: Alexis Cole, Jr., P; Lissette Acosta, So., P; Renee Coglianese, Jr., SS; Jen Buczkowski, So., OF; Kristi Seipp, So., C.
Outlook: First-year coach Cole has a young but experienced squad that should again contend in the Mason-Dixon Christian Conference, where last year it finished second. The Patriots lost their top pitcher to graduation but seem to have found an above-average replacement in Alexis Cole, a hard-throwing righty. Acosta, another talented right-hander, will back her up. The team suffered a blow when starting shortstop Coglianese suffered a pre-season ankle injury, but the junior is expected to return in a month and should only miss a few games. Cole calls her team extremely motivated.
Pub Date: 3/18/99