Having no senior starters on a high school softball team is both
a curse and a blessing. It
’s a curse because it means the team is extraordinarily young
and, usually, inexperienced. It’s a blessing because the team won’t
be touched by graduation.
Having no senior starters on a high school softball team is both a curse and a blessing. It’s a curse because it means the team is extraordinarily young and, usually, inexperienced. It’s a blessing because the team won’t be touched by graduation.
No one knows that better than Live Oak High softball coach Barry McDonnell and his players, who took their lumps last season but gained valuable experience they expect to capitalize on this year.
“We’re a little more mature this year and I think that maturity is going to show,” the third-year coach said. “We’re also losing a few players from the TCAL, which should even things up a little. I think we’re goling to be competitive with everyone. But it’s still a tough league.”
Last year, Live Oak finished 1-14 in the tough Tri-County Athletic League, which sent three of its four CCS playoff teams to the finals in their respective divisions last season.
With no senior starters, the callow Acorns were no match at the plate against pitchers like North Salinas ace Monica Abbott. While Live Oak was rarely beaten badly, the team had to scratch for runs.
But this season the Acorns return a host of players with the wisdom gained from such a season.
Among them are eight returning players and five seniors.
Leading the way is sophomore shortstop-centerfielder Alyssa Adamo, an all-TCAL second teamer last season who led the Acorns in batting average.
Adamo is expected to hit second in the Live Oak lineup.
At third base will be senior Katie Hillman, who earned all-TCAL honorable mention last season.
McDonnell describes Hillman as a “leader” and a good “all-around player.”
Hillman, who played on the Live Oak team that won a CCS title two seasons ago, will likely hit third for the Acorns.
Starting second baseman, junior Eileen Grove, also earned all-TCAL honorable mention for Live Oak last season, and is expected to hit fifth.
Shortstop Catalina Rauwers will provide speed at the top of the lineup for the Acorns.
McDonnell said Rauwers “has a lot of speed” and calls her a “smart, aggressive baserunner.”
In left field is junior Jackie Tennant, while utility player Samantha Ferry is expected to see playing time, too.
Vying for time on the mound will be senior Jackie Jacob, junior Juliette Bowers and sophomore Kaitlyn Rauschnot, who earned All-TCAL honorable mention as a freshman.
McDonnell said the trio are battling it out for the No. 1 position.
Rauschnot will probably hit cleanup for Live Oak this season.
At catcher is senior Justine McDonald.
Live Oak opens its season at Los Gatos on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The Acorns will play their TCAL opener at Hollister-San Benito on Thursday, March 18.
