PREP SOFTBALL: Bulldogs back nearly intact

Centennial has many returning players from squad that nearly took state crown

Centennial lost last year's state championship softball game, 1-0, to Wooster, Nev. With several returning starters, the Bulldogs should make another run for the title this season.

"We have so many returners back this year, they know how things work and what's expected, and how to come together and play Centennial type of softball," Bulldogs head coach Cyndi Castro said. "We just lack one, solid leader to step up and lead."

Centennial has several players who lead by example on the diamond, including juniors Shannon Crisp and Tory Healy and senior Dani Delgado.

Crisp is one of the top pitchers in the state and is also a potent power hitter. Crisp was named the Sunset Region MVP and the state's Gatorade Player of the Year as a freshman and was named first team all-Sunset Region last year, as well.

She tossed a one-hitter against Bonanza to lift Centennial to a 1-0 win in last year's Sunset Region title game and hasn't missed a beat this season. She recently hurled another one-hitter against Bonanza, with 14 strikeouts and no walks, and ripped a two-run homer to champion her own cause in a 3-1 win. Crisp, who also one-hit Bishop Gorman in a 10-0 shutout, leads the team in pitching and hitting.

"She's definitely improved from last year. She's just so strong on the mound and, offensively, she already has four home runs," Castro said. "As an all-around player, I think she's one of the best in town. She's not only such a great pitcher, but she's an awesome hitter as well.

"She just has such a presence on the field and she's so strong. She throws hard, she has good placement of her pitches, she works the count and she keeps batters off balance."

Healy, a second baseman named second team all-Sunset Region last season, is second on the squad in hitting.

"She's an excellent batter as well," Castro said. "I see great things from her this year. I believe she'll step up and be one of the better players in the Northwest Division and Sunset Region. She puts the ball in play and she's got some speed."

Delgado, a shortstop who missed most of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery, earned a scholarship to Syracuse University and appears to be back in top form.

"She has a lot of speed and fundamentally, she's one of the best shortstops I've ever coached," Castro said. "I expect her to be the best leadoff batter in town."

The Bulldogs also feature returning starters Whitney Hance, a junior third baseman; Erica Dresel, a junior center fielder; and Heather Groves, a junior left fielder.

"Hance has stepped it up big this year. She used to hit sixth or seventh, but this year, she's hitting third," Castro said. "Her bat has come around and she's been a bit of a team leader.

"(Dresel) leads our outfield. We look to her for experience on defense."

Other players expected to contribute include junior first baseman Amanda McDonnell; senior catcher Heather Burns; sophomore right fielder Jessica Wetzler; sophomore left fielder Danielle Debruno; junior outfielder Emily Meduvsky; freshman first baseman Brittany Burgos; and junior outfielder Stefanie Lentz.

Centennial went 38-4 overall last season, but will be hard-pressed to match that mark this year after starting 4-3. Two of those losses were to out-of-state squads, though, including one from Modena, Calif., ranked ninth in the nation. The Bulldogs also lost, 1-0, to Green Valley.

"Being beat by Green Valley proved any team can beat anybody on any given day," Castro said. "I'm a little frustrated (by our start), just because we have so much talent here and we're playing as individuals right now. We need to find a way to come together as a team, help each other out and work together.

"Last year, we worked hard and earned everything we received, but last year was last year and this year is this year. The Northwest Division is up for grabs, the Sunset Region is up for grabs and so is state."


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