Morgan leads Starfire softball

Ashton Morgan was the No. 2 pitcher for the Starfires last season. But she had No. 1 numbers.

Now she'll step into the lead role.

Morgan is the top returning player for the South Adams High School softball team, which put together a solid 2008 season. The Starfires opened with seven straight wins a year ago and had 16 before falling 2-1 to Woodlan in the opening round of the sectional tournament.

Now they'll try to build off of that effort with Morgan, a senior, as the top pitcher.

She finished 6-6 last season, but racked up 93 strikeouts in 80 innings with just a 3.38 ERA. She also picked up three saves.

"She got some spot starts last year and did a great job ... in relief," said SAHS coach Jeff Bradtmiller. "This year we will be looking for her to lead us not only on the mound but at the plate. She will hit in the three spot and hopefully have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs."

Along with her pitching numbers, Morgan is also the top returning hitter for SAHS in every meaningful offensive category. She hit .379 during her junior season with 33 hits, 27 runs, 24 RBIs, 16 steals, 15 walks, eight doubles, three triples and a pair of home runs.

Jana Beitler, also a senior, saw limited action a year ago because of a knee injury, but hit .400 in 11 plate appearances. She will play the shortstop slot this season.

Bradtmiller said he's looking to that duo for leadership this season.

"They both have played varsity for three years and with us the last two summers to improve their games," he said. "Both are very coachable kids who understand how to do things the right way.

"(Jana) handles the bat really well and will be looked at to put the ball in play at the number two position. ... She has the range and arm strength we just need to work on her confidence, which will come with some game experience."

Beitler will be throwing over to first baseman Karen Bollenbacher, who is the only hitter other than Morgan who garnered more the 20 hits last season (22). She also had 16 runs, 14 RBIs and 10 walks.

Katrina Hawkins, a sophomore who will play center field, added 14 runs a year ago, and third baseman Kayla Minnich drove in 12 runs.

"(Hawkins) will bat lead off," said Bradtmiller. "We¹re hoping her speed will not only be an asset on offense to set the table for our two, three and four hitters but also give her the opportunity to cover a lot of ground in the outfield."

Brittany Pugsley will finish out the infield at second base, with freshman Brianna Nevil set to catch. Joining Hawkins in the outfield are freshmen Kysha Cox in left and Logan Chandler in right.

Senior Liz Smith will see time as the team's designated player.

"We have some holes to fill due to graduation," said Bradtmiller, who graduated a pair of .330-plus hitters in pitcher Hali Feaster and pitcher Amber Melick along with two more who hit .295. "We will probably be starting three freshman and two sophomores. How quickly these young kids develop and mesh together defensively, will determine our early success."

He said he's hoping his team can reach the 16-win mark again this season. And although he makes Garrett and Bishop Luers the conference and sectional favorites respectively, he also believes his team can have a shot to compete for those crowns.

"Everyone in the (Allen County Athletic Conference) has good pitching so I think whoever wins the conference will be the team that can execute in key situations," Bradtmiller said. "Defending champion Luers will be the favorite in our sectional but again I think everyone ... has good pitching so if you can take advantage of key opportunities it could be wide open."

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