Poland softball team aim high in 2011

April 15, 2011 at 1:02p.m.

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Last season, the Poland Bulldogs set a school record with 30 wins (they were 30-2 overall) en route to the sectional, district and regional titles.

The All-American Conference Red Tier champions (they posted a perfect 8-0 mark) finished as state runners-up and will return eight letterwinners and seven starters in 2011.

Projected starters include senior outfielder Adriana Sikora (First-Team AAC; First-Team Team NEO and Second-Team All-State), who will play softball next season at Ohio Northern; senior outfielder Chelsea McCree; junior third baseman/pitcher Jenna Modic (First-Team AAC, NEO and State — who has verbally committed next season to Miami of Ohio); junior pitcher Erin Gabriel (First-Team AAC, NEO, State, Gatorade Player of the Year and a member of the Jr. National Team), who has verbally committed to the University of Tennessee; junior second baseman Emily Chandler; junior shortstop Kalie Benson; junior outfielder Maura Bobby and sophomore catcher, Meredith Testa.

First-base candidates include freshman Taylor Miokovic and sophomore Marissa Trevis, while other players vying for positions include sophomore Anna Barnhar (infield) and sophomore Meredith Tesone in the outfield.

As it was a season ago, the Bulldogs’ schedule is a very challenging one as they will be playing three games against the last two Division I state champions, will take on Western Pa. powerhouse North Allegheny and will compete in two prestigious tournaments: the Wendy’s Classic at Ashland University and the Keystone Invitational.

They will be challenged for league honors by both the Canfield Cardinals and the Howland Tigers.

“We are a veteran team with a couple of rookies sprinkled in at both catcher and first base. Our expectations remain very high. Obviously, our pitching is outstanding and it all begins in the circle. We have been working on our offense so far this season as well.

“I believe we have the potential to be the best hitting team we’ve ever had and the girls are anticipating great things this season,” coach Reid Lamport noted.

Lamport enters his 22nd season at the helm with a 476-108 overall mark — .814 winning percentage.