Posted: 4/13/05
New coach offers a fresh start for softball
|
|
 |
Joe Drennan
Sports Editor
The Forest Lake High School softball team didnít have the best of seasons last year as they finished 2-19. After the season head coach Sue Stennes-Rogness stepped down as coach and Angi Berg took over, giving the team a fresh start.
Berg inherits a team that is led by eight seniors. The senior class includes Sammie Sheets, Sarah Dittberner, Katie Wightman, Jessica Morgan, Ashley Corbett, Savannah Svendsen, Kristel Overson and Jessica Griffith. Morgan, Wightman and Svendsen are the team captains.
ìWe have great senior leadership that has talent, athleticism and knowledge of the game,î Berg said.
Griffith will be the pitching ace of the Rangers this year with Svendsen as her relief.
ìJessica is confident going into the season and has done well in the scrimmage,î Berg said. ìSheís throwing the ball well and hitting her spots.î
When not pitching, Svendsen will be patrolling the outfield with Cassie Freerks and Michele Secore.
The infield will be staffed by junior Marke Schuldt behind the plate, Sheets and Overson splitting time at first base, Morgan at second base, Whiteman at shortstop and freshman Kathy Crudo at third base.
ìJessica (Morgan) and Katie (Whiteman) have a great relationship up the middle,î Berg said.
ìThe girls are very athletic,î Berg said. ìWe have a lot of different lineups that could put people in different spots which is fantastic.î
Berg also speaks highly of the only freshman, Crudo, on the team. Berg said she can catch, play third base or ìjust about anywhere in the infield.î
Berg has plenty of softball experience as she was a member of the state runner-up Rangers team in 1995.
Berg is a 2000 grad of FLHS and went on to play softball at St. Cloud St. University where the Huskies finished ranked in national polls all four years she was there. Berg started every game over four years at short-stop.
In the summertime during college Berg worked softball clinics and coached youth teams as well.
The Rangers opened their season Monday with a 1-0 loss to Hastings. Griffith was the loosing pitcher in the game. A bright spot for the Rangers was Morgan who went 3-3 with two doubles.
The Rangers played at home Wednesday at 4 p.m. against Woodbury with their next game on April 18 at Roseville at 4 p.m.
Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605