After almost a month of pre season rain, cold, and finally warm weather, the Winthrop High softball team will open its 2010 campaign Monday at Somerville in a non-league contest.
“It has been a long preseason (almost a month),†said veteran WHS head coach Dave Guffey. “We’re looking forward to getting the season underway.â€
The Lady Vikings have been busy when the weather has permitted. Guffey and his crew made their annual trek to the Cape for a pre season Jamboree and fared well against the competition, going 4-2 in their six contests. Winthrop defeated Sunapee, NH, 6-1; Grafton,4-3; Falmouth, 9-3; and Westford Academy, 10-0. They fell to Amherst, 9-0, and Blackstone, 6-3. Both of the losses came on Saturday with the temperatures in the high 20’s or low 30’s.
Guffey has three pitchers with varsity experience in sophomore Alex Ferri, senior Elaine Lanza, and senior Angela Pettee.
Lanza and Pettee figure to hold down the first base spot when not pitching, with Pettee also sharing second base with junior Taylor Brown. Shortstop will see freshman Lianna Ferullo and senior Abby Belcher at that key spot. Senior Kristen Lanza will man the hot corner at third base.
Belcher and junior Andrea Martucci will handle the all important catching chores.
The outfield brigade will consist of senior Amanda Brogna and sophomore Rachel Delsolio in left; junior Haley Benson in center; and Martucci and senior Carol Bruce in right.
“We hit the ball better than expected on the Cape, especially given the cold weather,†said Guffey, noting that Kristen Lanza led the team in hitting with a .750 average for the weekend, while Abby Belcher, Taylor Brown and Lianna Ferullo all hit close to .500.
“We’re hoping to play solid defense to support out pitchers and looking forward to a successful season,†concluded the coach.