Pitchers?/Teams?

[foghorn]

Since softball is just around the corner who are the top pitchers in Section V.

Also top teams? What make them a top team?

[UNCTarheels]

Since softball is just around the corner who are the top pitchers in Section V.

Also top teams? What make them a top team?

I'm only familiar with the smaller schools but I know that Bolivar-Richburg will be one of the top teams in the State. Senior Pitcher Jordan Ingalls is one of the top pitchers in Section V with a Full Ride to Youngstown State. Warsaw is also going to be one of the top teams in Class C with Pitcher Kelly Spear. Avoca's Sarah Becker will be one of the top pitchers in DD and Avoca should once again be a contender for sectionals.

[Quaker]

In AAA, I think Fairport is going to be VERY tough. Stacy Kuwik is among what I consider the big 4 section 5 pitchers. You're simply not going to outwork Stacey. She has a HUGE bat and a very sweet fastball. She's had to do a lot of searching as she now plays travel against the nations top teams. This is probably not good news for her section 5 opponents.

In C, Mary Bostwick is going to be a big force. She's really picked up her game playing summer ball. This could easily be OA's year if they can get the bats working. Mary committed to Bonny which should make her even more confident. Most people who are accustomed to Mary being a fastball thrower are going to be a bit surprised as to how far Mary's game has advanced. I don't think any kid in Section 5 plays more games than Mary.

Jordan Ingalls has already committed to a college team and her game is, as always, very tough. In my opinion, any team that gets Jordan is lucky. She's an awesome kid.

Aside from Ingalls, Section 5's most successful pitcher has been Sarah Schwartzmeyer of Elba. Sarah won 2 consecutive western regionals and hit the winning home run in last years regional. She's still just a junior. Like Kuwic, Sarah has also had to do some searching as the bats in ASA gold tournaments and redefine her game. Again, not good news for her opponents.

I think the regions biggest surprise could be Trish Pike of Notre Dame Batavia.
She had a very good summer and some big wins in tournament ball.

Outside pitchers, I think the regions best TEAM is Warsaw. They simply have no gaps. Like Elba, Warsaw has a great coach who doesn't just point to the pitcher and say, "Go win it for us". It's hard to imagine the Western Regional game being anything but Warsaw OA.

[Section5sportsguy]

Yeah, the only problem in girls softball is all you really need to be a top level team is one really good pitcher. You could for example put Mary Bostwick on Attica, a 500. team, and they would instantly turn into sectional/state contenders. I just think girls softball is too isocentric and they should put innings limits on pitchers for weekly periods.

[bcherry8]

Yeah, the only problem in girls softball is all you really need to be a top level team is one really good pitcher. You could for example put Mary Bostwick on Attica, a 500. team, and they would instantly turn into sectional/state contenders. I just think girls softball is too isocentric and they should put innings limits on pitchers for weekly periods.
Gotta have a good hitting and fielding lineup. High school softball isnt always a 1-0 game with two hits from each team, and the run coming off a solo home run by the pitcher like in college. OA would not be as good as they are if they didnt have a very good lineup, who can also play the field well in addition to great pitching

[Section5sportsguy]

Gotta have a good hitting and fielding lineup. High school softball isnt always a 1-0 game with two hits from each team, and the run coming off a solo home run by the pitcher like in college. OA would not be as good as they are if they didnt have a very good lineup, who can also play the field well in addition to great pitching

Im not saying that OA is bad, its just that one elite pitcher can carry you farther then say, 3 good pitchers.

[Quaker]

First, we're getting more good pitchers, but Warsaw won with an average pitcher.

Schwartzmeyer at Elba was 11-3 as a 7th grader, but that was a really good team with good bats. They fell off in the 8th grade. Mary, on the other hand, didn't really get much help before last year.

Chelsea Cary at Pembroke was a consistent strike thrower, but that was a really good team.

A team to watch in the next two years is Holley. I thought they had the GR's best JV. Actually, their JV could have beaten 75% of the counties varsities.

On a side note, we lose some good umpires this year to retirement.

[fisher22]

Holley will be good. Plus they have a very good young catcher whose in the
10th grade this year and it will be her 3rd year on varsity. They just need to find a consistent pitcher

[Rams15]

There has been a lot of discussion around the state about moving the rubber back for girl's softball. I can't remember if it was back to 46' from 40', or 50' from 46' ?? What Is the standard distance for girl's ?? 40' ??

What are your opinions on this ?? I'm not sure how I feel about it ? It would certainly make it more offensive I would think ??

[ref11]

the mound now is 40 feet talking abut next year moving to 43 collage disatnce

[Rams15]

I appreciate that. I remember reading and hearing a great deal last summer from coaches about this. What impact, if any, would this rule change have on the pitchers/the game ?? Is there any discussion about limiting innings pitched for softball as we have in baseball ??

[foghorn]

There should be a limit on softball pitchers, pitching a certain amount of innings per week. The misconception has always been the windmill does not place as much stress on the arm as in baseball. There is a lot of stress placed on a pitchers shoulder.
The problem is finding enough girls who can actually pitch at a high level needed for varsity. Very few girls are willing to put in the extra time and effort needed to learn the windmill technique. It not as easy as picking up the ball and throwing strikes. Baseball can use almost any kid on the team and have them pitch. Since the overhand throw is what all kids grow up learning to do, it makes it easier to find pitchers in baseball. (of course to be effective they too must put in the work).
As in baseball there should be "down time" for windmill pitchers as well. They should be taking 2-3 months off to rest their bodies. Overuse injuries for pitchers is the most common type of injuries pitchers face.

[timmy4]

On a side note, we lose some good umpires this year to retirement.

Who is retiring? I know a lot of the guys/gals and I was just curious.

PS - great site and I look forward to reading and occasionally adding some thoughts.

[UNCTarheels]

PS - great site and I look forward to reading and occasionally adding some thoughts

We're getting there, Softball was a very popular topic on here last spring and we're hoping for a lot more now that the "Word" has spread around. But please feel free to "Spread the Word" to players, coaches & Fans who still don't know about us!

[Softball Dad]

First, we're getting more good pitchers, but Warsaw won with an average pitcher.

Schwartzmeyer at Elba was 11-3 as a 7th grader, but that was a really good team with good bats. They fell off in the 8th grade. Mary, on the other hand, didn't really get much help before last year.

Chelsea Cary at Pembroke was a consistent strike thrower, but that was a really good team.

A team to watch in the next two years is Holley. I thought they had the GR's best JV. Actually, their JV could have beaten 75% of the counties varsities.

On a side note, we lose some good umpires this year to retirement.

First of all How can you say Warsaw's pitcher is average. She was 2nd team all state, D & C super 16, Livingston County News Player of the year, LCCA Player of the year division III, 19-1, 2 no hitters, MVP York tourament (3 of last 4 years) beating Sarah Schwartzmeyer for the 2nd year in a row last year as a sophmore with a 51-11 career record. learn your facts before you look like a fool. Oh by the way she hit .456 wit 9 doubles, 15 Xtra Base hits and 34 RBI's. She also beat Jordan Ingalls and the reigning state champs in the C final last year. Yeah she is just an average pitcher.

Boliver is still the team to beat in Class C because of Jordan Ingalls, Aimee Sisson and Courtney Wight

CCC Oakfield is the leader because of Mary Bostwick alone. Pembroke has moved back up to B. Cal Mum and Addison could enter into it.

CC is the weakest C class Pavilion has a chance to win it all. But Gananda showed that they are very good and they are also young. Pavilions Hannah Norton and Ashley Van Buren are Seniors.

C It will be a fight between Bolivar-Richburg and Warsaw. Warsaw is returning all 9 starters from last years Class C Champions all 11 returning players have played travel ball. 10 Played travel ball last summer. They are going in with 30 years of varsity experiance and will still have 5 starters returning next year.

[ref11]

well seems you forget about bolivar- richburg losing in the final last year has made them more hungry in all sports made it to the finals in soccer bball in seeded right now in 2 and softball they have a big goal go out on top. there nonleague schedule is very hard. in a big time tourny in ohio and schedule more rochester schools. they have 7 returing starters and a solid bench that played summer ball. last years loss has made those br seniors soooo hungry to win

[dadster81]

Regarding pitching, nobody has mentioned Erin Nargi of Victor, who was the All Greater Rochester Player of the Year last year, and their team lost in the State finals last year in Class A. Victor returns most of their starters, including Nargi and several all division players. Victor is also switching to Monroe County Class A next year.

Also in Class A you have Aquinas, who lost to Victor twice last year I believe by one run each time. They return Bri Allen, an outstanding pitcher who was one the Top 16 AGR players last year, along with several other all division players.

Also in the fight at Class A will be Mendon, who went 17-1 last year, losing to Victor in the Sectional finals. Mendon returns 5 all division players, including soph pitcher Ali Taylor, and will be bringing players up from a JV team that has won 28 straight games over two years.

In Class CCC Gananda started 6 frosh in their infield last year, and made it all the way to Sectional finals, losing to OA and Mary B. They return their all division pitcher, catcher and SS.

In the AAA Class, I think Schroeder will give Fairport a run - they have a strong hitting lineup with 2 AGR players and two all division players returning, including their pitcher, who I think is a frosh this year.

First game of the season will be a great one - Schroeder vs Mendon

[timmy4]

Totally agree... Nargi is a stud and Victor will be right there at the end. I give a small edge to Aquinas only because they return everybody. Lots of senior leaders on that team and the bats should be there as well. Mendon, Mercy... wow a totally loaded class. Looks like 16 teams in 2008. Based on who they play during the season, Mendon takes the top spot for seeding, but I like AQ over Mercy in the finals.

AA has Arcadia with a great battery and a very young team around them. Thomas should bounce back strong. Looks like Hilton moves up this year, which is too bad, cause I would have put them in the finals vs Thomas. Thomas over Arcadia.

AAA is Fairport, Schroeder and everyone else. Kuwik is a great pitcher, but Schroeder owned her last year. Schroeder loses a few seniors including their top power hitter, but Dixon will only continue to get better... 8th grader this year. Coin flip, but Fairport's bats should be there and if Kuwik played as much as I've heard in the summer, then she'll be even more fierce and Fairport pulls it out.

[foghorn]

I don't agree with Arcadia making the finals nor am I sold on Thomas. Both teams lost a lot. Thomas lost 7 starters and Arcadia lost two very solid players with little coming up.
The sleeper for AA will be Athena. They return every starter except for their center fielder who transferred to AQ. Athena lost to Thomas 1-0 (regular season) and could easily have beaten (should have) Arcadia in the semi's last year. The pitcher for Athena in those two games was a 7th grader, Riley Johnson. She held Arcadia to 4 hits but the defense comitted 8 errors. Riley also made 1st team all county. Athena also returns the top catcher/hitter in Section V in Jackie Russell.

[dadster81]

I think with AA you picked the right Greece School - Athena - to go far. Thomas has lost too much, and their pitchers coming back are good, but young and not up to par with some of the other teams in their division. Also Irondequoit, who made an unexpected run to the Sectional Finals last year, returnn all of their key starters, including their all division pitcher, Emily Farr, who is only a sophmore. I see an Athena - Irondequoit final

[timmy4]

Hard to dispute any of that... I didn't realize that Russell was back for Athena. I thought she graduated and yes, that changes everything. Absolutely the team to beat in AA with her coupled with Johnson.

The thing about Arcadia is that they just find a way... and they do it with less every year. P/C are the standouts and we'll see if they get any production elsewhere.

I had heard that Irondequoit made a coaching change so I wasn't sure what to expect there. They were young last year and surprised many with their great run during sectionals.

I guess the jury is still out with Thomas... but, they've always had strong players in the JV stables. I think they'll be very competitive.

Athena over Thomas in AA.

[timmy4]

The sleeper for AA will be Athena. They return every starter except for their center fielder who transferred to AQ. Athena lost to Thomas 1-0 (regular season) and could easily have beaten (should have) Arcadia in the semi's last year.

Strangest thing I've seen happened toward the end of that Athena/Arcadia game. Anybody remember that game being delayed in the 7th inning for SUN??

[foghorn]

The catcher from Arcadia could not see the ball coming in because the sun was at such an angle behind the pitcher that she was blinded. She asked the umpire, John Masco for time until the sun moved. Probably a 10 minute delay. The fans from Arcadia thought Russell from Athena who was up at the time was asking for timeout because she could not see.

[bcherry8]

First of all How can you say Warsaw's pitcher is average. She was 2nd team all state, D & C super 16, Livingston County News Player of the year, LCCA Player of the year division III, 19-1, 2 no hitters, MVP York tourament (3 of last 4 years) beating Sarah Schwartzmeyer for the 2nd year in a row last year as a sophmore with a 51-11 career record. learn your facts before you look like a fool. Oh by the way she hit .456 wit 9 doubles, 15 Xtra Base hits and 34 RBI's. She also beat Jordan Ingalls and the reigning state champs in the C final last year. Yeah she is just an average pitcher.

Boliver is still the team to beat in Class C because of Jordan Ingalls, Aimee Sisson and Courtney Wight

CCC Oakfield is the leader because of Mary Bostwick alone. Pembroke has moved back up to B. Cal Mum and Addison could enter into it.

CC is the weakest C class Pavilion has a chance to win it all. But Gananda showed that they are very good and they are also young. Pavilions Hannah Norton and Ashley Van Buren are Seniors.

C It will be a fight between Bolivar-Richburg and Warsaw. Warsaw is returning all 9 starters from last years Class C Champions all 11 returning players have played travel ball. 10 Played travel ball last summer. They are going in with 30 years of varsity experiance and will still have 5 starters returning next year.
I disagree with you about Bostwick carrying the team. OA has a very good lineup, they are all great hitters, baserunners, and fielders. you have to give the rest of the team credit, especially when you are talking about a team that won a sectional championship last year.

[timmy4]

Looking forward... I think O-A moving up and NAZARETH moving down to CCC could make for a great potential matchup!

[Quaker]

First. let me say that there are really no great pitchers in section 5, though there are several really good ones. The girl in the little league world series last year had a 59mph fastball and she was 12 years old. If you clock these girls, none have game speed in excess of 55 aside from Mary. Most average 48 to 53. Some have wrinkle pitches but none have real drops and nobody, and I mean nobody, from the Genesee river to Ohio, Canada to Pennsylvania throws a real riseball.

Also, consider this. Section 5 did not have a top five team in Classes AA, B, or C. They had one in D, and one in A. In C, they ended up ranked 11,12,13 and 17 and the state representative was 10th! How do you win the far west region and end up in tenth? Seton Catholic was fifth an they were 14-9! I know players on Seton. They're BACKUP pitcher, Anderson Conti, last year would have struck out 300 batters in the GR. The kid plays national travel.

That being said, the idea that this pitcher beats that pitcher is what's wrong with the Genesee Region. Softball is a TEAM sport. It's hard to win if you're shut out. Warsaw has a great coach. On their team, everybody contributes. I've seen lots of people hit their pitcher but their outfield has no holes, and their players are seldom out of position. Their infielders have well practiced throwing motions and their first baseman catches the ball. I thought they had an excellent catcher. Their pitcher doesn't fold under pressure. She plays the game with a smile on her face.

That being said, there aren't a lot of 8th graders pitching varsity softball in Salinas California. If you want to call somebody great, you should first learn what great is.


[QUOTE=Softball Dad;20324]First of all How can you say Warsaw's pitcher is average. She was 2nd team all state, D & C super 16, Livingston County News Player of the year, LCCA Player of the year division III, 19-1, 2 no hitters, MVP York tourament (3 of last 4 years) beating Sarah Schwartzmeyer for the 2nd year in a row last year as a sophmore with a 51-11 career record. learn your facts before you look like a fool. Oh by the way she hit .456 wit 9 doubles, 15 Xtra Base hits and 34 RBI's. She also beat Jordan Ingalls and the reigning state champs in the C final last year. Yeah she is just an average pitcher.

[Quaker]

[QUOTE=dadster81;21346]Regarding pitching, nobody has mentioned Erin Nargi of Victor, who was the All Greater Rochester Player of the Year last year, and their team lost in the State finals last year in Class A. Victor returns most of their starters, including Nargi and several all division players. Victor is also switching to Monroe County Class A next year.

I've seen Erin 5 or six times in different venues. IMO, she's the best pitcher in Section 5. Last year in states, they had to replace their catcher during the game because of an injury and her replacement played a great game. But I think it rattled them a bit. Nonetheless, I thought they'd win states. Erin was spectacular against Williamsville South which is one of the best coached teams in NY. That class is brutal.

Anyway, I think Erin has enormous potential as a college player. She has a great fastball and really spots well. Like Speer, she's a rock in pressure situations. That being said the one kid who could give Erin a run for the money this year is Stacey Kuwick in Fairport. Awesome kid. Granite work ethic. Laser like focus. Swings the bat like A-Rod.

Also, I think this could be a huge year for section V. The sleepers are going to be Fairport and Holley.

[vvseights]

[QUOTE=Quaker;23675][QUOTE=dadster81;21346]That being said the one kid who could give Erin a run for the money this year is Stacey Kuwick in Fairport. Awesome kid. Granite work ethic. Laser like focus. Swings the bat like A-Rod.
/QUOTE]


I know Stacey very well and I have seen her break down many times. It's my opinion that, while she is an amazing pitcher and all around player, in order to give Erin a run for her money, Stacey will need to work hard on her mental aspect of the game.

[baltimore2]

I know Stacey very well and I have seen her break down many times. It's my opinion that, while she is an amazing pitcher and all around player, in order to give Erin a run for her money, Stacey will need to work hard on her mental aspect of the game.[/QUOTE]

I know you are just trying to find some sort of fault with Stacy but this is just not going to happen. She's 17 years old now and this mental breakdown thing that you speak of is a thing of the past.

Regarding the pitching issue, so many times we talk only of pitchers and ignore the other 8 players on the field. Saying that a pitcher was "All Greater Rochester" when there were 8 pitchers on the team does not make her too special in my estimation.

Erin Nargi was a fantastic pitcher last year but what set Victor's championship team apart from their numerous runner-up teams of the past was the way they hit and fielded. They lost 3 key offensive contributors from last years team and hopefully their younger players and returning veterans can step in.

[vvseights]

She's 17 years old now and this mental breakdown thing that you speak of is a thing of the past.



I know that personally, as a pitcher myself, mental breakdowns aren't a thing of the past. But, I must agree that if anyone were to be as good as or better than Nargi, it would be Stacey.

[bronxbomberfan213]

I think Jordan Ingalls is definitley one of the top pitchers, not to metion a great hitter with really good power. I think she is a very well-rounded softball player and athlete. I have faced her and Cary from Pembroke and both of them dominated our lineup when we faced them. I've never faced Botswick or Sara from, so I don't personally know how good they are. I have faced Kelly Spear and out of the afore mentioned pitchers she is the one that my team hit off of the best. Not to say that she isn't a good pitcher, but from personal experience, i think that the other pitchers are stronger than her.

[Softball Dad]

Outside pitchers, I think the regions best TEAM is Warsaw. They simply have no gaps. Like Elba, Warsaw has a great coach who doesn't just point to the pitcher and say, "Go win it for us". It's hard to imagine the Western Regional game being anything but Warsaw OA.[/QUOTE]

Here's where you and most people are fooled! Warsaw is a great team 1-9 no doubt about it. Kelly Spear P, Amy Nowak SS, Kristi Weaver RF, Christina Grisewood C to name a few. But a monkey could have coached that team to an undefeated season last year. Their coach is a joke who lucked into a Golden opurtunity of a life time. The team won so she gets all the accolades. Every one of those girls have been playing travel ball for years and learning while this great coach kept the book. She is so worried about what other people think more than what to do in each situation. But the team went 22-1 so it must be the coach. She didn't do very good agaist Pembroke! Kinda reminds me of Marv Levy they thought he was a great coach but he had a great team when it came down to coaching he lost! Who won Bill Parcells now that is a great coach.

[straightup]

Softball Dad - you are right - a monkey could have coach that team to an undefeated season especially with the schedule Warsaw played. For a guy who is always worried about the accolades you ought to get over it and enjoy last season for what it was worth. You beat one decent team the whole year! I'm tired of hearing you brag about how they all play travel ball, heck, what decent HS team doesn't have a bunch of girls playing travel ball. The great Warsaw team that you brag of would be a better team if you didn't keep back stabbing them.

[Hoopaholic]

Outside pitchers, I think the regions best TEAM is Warsaw. They simply have no gaps. Like Elba, Warsaw has a great coach who doesn't just point to the pitcher and say, "Go win it for us". It's hard to imagine the Western Regional game being anything but Warsaw OA.

Here's where you and most people are fooled! Warsaw is a great team 1-9 no doubt about it. Kelly Spear P, Amy Nowak SS, Kristi Weaver RF, Christina Grisewood C to name a few. But a monkey could have coached that team to an undefeated season last year. Their coach is a joke who lucked into a Golden opurtunity of a life time. The team won so she gets all the accolades. Every one of those girls have been playing travel ball for years and learning while this great coach kept the book. She is so worried about what other people think more than what to do in each situation. But the team went 22-1 so it must be the coach. She didn't do very good agaist Pembroke! Kinda reminds me of Marv Levy they thought he was a great coach but he had a great team when it came down to coaching he lost! Who won Bill Parcells now that is a great coach.[/QUOTE]


Typical dad critizing the coach. How'd you like people to critique your parenting?

[bcherry8]

Here's where you and most people are fooled! Warsaw is a great team 1-9 no doubt about it. Kelly Spear P, Amy Nowak SS, Kristi Weaver RF, Christina Grisewood C to name a few. But a monkey could have coached that team to an undefeated season last year. Their coach is a joke who lucked into a Golden opurtunity of a life time. The team won so she gets all the accolades. Every one of those girls have been playing travel ball for years and learning while this great coach kept the book. She is so worried about what other people think more than what to do in each situation. But the team went 22-1 so it must be the coach. She didn't do very good agaist Pembroke! Kinda reminds me of Marv Levy they thought he was a great coach but he had a great team when it came down to coaching he lost! Who won Bill Parcells now that is a great coach.


[/QUOTE]Typical dad critizing the coach. How'd you like people to critique your parenting?[/QUOTE]
Hahahaha, Softball Dad, he got ya

[bcherry8]

I heard Claire Bennett is a dominating softball pitcher. Has anyone on this site stepped in the box against her? If you haven't, don't comment because I'm not sure you can judge a pitcher if you haven't tried to hit off them.
All im saying is that OA roughed her up last year

[bronxbomberfan213]

I heard Claire Bennett is a dominating softball pitcher. Has anyone on this site stepped in the box against her? If you haven't, don't comment because I'm not sure you can judge a pitcher if you haven't tried to hit off them.

I have hit against her. She is one of the better pitchers in LCAA, not unhittable though. Personally from the times that I've and my team have faced her she threw a lot of outside pitches(to righties). Against us she tried to make us chase a lot, but I don't know how she has faced or what she has thrown to other teams. But, definitly not the best pitcher around.

[BombeRLV56]

East Rochester should have a pretty good team. Over all they are pretty young but still good athletes. Tasha Parker will start at pitcher, pretty good arm throws hard. Jessenia Anduar will return at the catchers spot alot of expierence and is a beast. Ciara Condello can pitch and field.

[cayugamom27]

O-A got their bats working last night I believe the varsity had 16 hits against Holley. In fact both O-A squads mercy ruled Holley's jv & varsity teams. Im not sure what you saw last year that would make you think Holleys jv team could have beaten 75% of the counties varsity teams. But whatever it was they seem to have lost it. Have you seen O-A, Pembroke, Elba, or Notre Dame play?

First, we're getting more good pitchers, but Warsaw won with an average pitcher.

Schwartzmeyer at Elba was 11-3 as a 7th grader, but that was a really good team with good bats. They fell off in the 8th grade. Mary, on the other hand, didn't really get much help before last year.

Chelsea Cary at Pembroke was a consistent strike thrower, but that was a really good team.

A team to watch in the next two years is Holley. I thought they had the GR's best JV. Actually, their JV could have beaten 75% of the counties varsities.

On a side note, we lose some good umpires this year to retirement.

[pcssoccer2]

well perry has a good pitching squad with stefanon