Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 133, Number 17, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 29 April 2010 — Page 8

Page B2

Advance News* Thursday, April 29,2010

Experienced Panthers ready to take the field

By Stevi Sutler CORRESPONDENT NAPPANEE For the first two weds of practice, die weedier has been near-perfect for baseball, and the North Wood Panther baseball team has taken advantage of die (relatively) warm and dry days, to get a jump on the upcoming season. North Wood returns nine lettermen from last season's 12-14 squad, four of whom (seniors John Sittler, Tony Miranda, and Cam Spitaels and junior Derek Yoder) will be entering their third year erf varsity play. "We are so much farther ahead of where we were at this time last year," said varsity coach Nick Davis. "Part of that is die great weather, but it's also due to die experience we have coming back, as well as the hard work that all of our returning lettermen have done, both in the offseason and now in the preseason." Yoder, an all-NLC pitcher/shortstop/outfielder and the 2009 team MVP is "poised to have a breakout season," according to Davis. "Derek worked very hard over the winter and really is in command of himself in the field, on die mound, and at die plate," noted Davis. "We expect Derek to be a guy that makes things happen wherever he is on the field." Anchoring the infield as the catcher will be Sittler, who has more

Success, cont. from B 1

"She's a nice, solid player," Schwartz said. "She doesn't panic under pressure and is real steady. Her all-around game fits for that position." The only other returnee is Ashley McClintic (17-6 at No. 3 singles in 'O9), who is currently out of commission. The senior hurt a knee in last year's Northern Lakes Conference tournament. Uncertain of her physical ability to withstand singles, McClintic moved to No. 1 doubles with junior partner Taryn Johnson. The knee flared up, however, and McClintic will be out at least a couple weeks. "We really hope to get her back," Schwartz said. "We don't know how long it's going to be. She's a team captain with (Ramer) and she's a great team leader. It's a pretty big blow to the team." At No. 2 singles is junior Kaci Heeter, who was at No. 1 for the JV squad last season. "She's a nice asset because she's been utilized a few different ways at varsity in the past with injuries and outside commitments," Schwartz said. "She knows the role very well." The No. 3 singles slot is held by senior Lissette Figueroa, who had diversified experience at the JV level. "We weren't sure where we wanted to put her this year, but we decided on singles and she's doing really well," Schwartz said. "We're very encouraged and she's taking on the challenge." With McClintic's absence, the No. 2 doubles tandem of sophomore Danae Ehret and sophomore Kayla Bear has been bumped up to No. 1. "They were the top JV doubles team last year, so they moved up as a pairing," Schwartz said. "They were 12-4 last year, so they have good experience." For the time being, Johnson will be paired with freshman Jana Yoder at No. 2 doubles. After last season's tremendous success, Schwartz had 29 players try out this spring. Couple that with the program's desire to continue its ascendancy, and 2009 is paying definite dividends. "I always feel like success breeds success, and there's no doubt it's helped us," Schwartz said. "The better we do, the more fun it is, and everybody gets excited about that."

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Varsity Baseball From left, front row: Brennan Yoder, Zech Manring, Cam Spitaels, Tanner Roberts, Cory Snyder; middle row: Trent Wagner, Derek Yoder, Kyle Heckaman, John Sittler, Brandon Purcell. Tony Miranda; back row: head coach Nick Davis, Justin Miller, Blair Beehler, Cole Page, coach Zach Scott

than 50 varsity games under his belt behind the plate. "John is an excellent defensive catcher whose arm strength has been outstanding this spring," said Davis, "and he is also a capable hitter who we're counting on to drive in runs." The power-hitting Miranda will hold

Sports

down die hot comer for die second straight season, while junior Blair Beehler returns as the starting first baseman and will also see relief duty on the mound. Second base will be manned for the second year in a row by slick-fielding junior Brennan Yoder, while at shortstop,

Lady Panthers softball team hoping to peak at right time

By Brent Glasgow Correspondent NAPPANEE After a tough 7-21 record and 0-14 mark in Northern Lakes Conference play in 2009, the North Wood softball team wants to take a sizable step forward this year. "Our goal is to get better every time out, and that's what I stress," fourth-year coach Ryan Mattem said. "We need to be going forward and eventually peak when we get to the postseason when it really counts." The Panthers lost six seniors to graduation, which meant significant retooling of the lineup. "I have a lot of girls playing new positions at the varsity level, so I've expected a few bumps early," Mattem said. "I'm hoping that'll start to clear itself up as we move along." North Wood is strong on the mound with the return of junior pitcher Courtney Bemiller, who recorded all seven of the team's wins last season. "When she's on, she throws a lot of strikes," Mattem said. "She's doing a good job so far of not walking a lot of batters." In weeks with upwards of five games, senior Lindsey Biller will sometimes move from her spot at first base to take the mound. Bemiller, Biller and junior catcher Allison Schrock are

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junior Kyle Heckaman is expected to share time with Derek Yoder. "Kyle has had an excellent preseason," said Davis. "He developed a lot of self-confidence in the recent basketball season, and that has carried over to baseball." The outfield will be led by the

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Varsity Softball From left, front row: Tess Anglemyer, Allison Schrock, Emily Shay, Krista Yoder, Chelsea' Stutzman; middle row: Courtney Bemiller, Jessica Blessing, Simonne Lynn, Morgan Yoder, Kelsey Cripe, Chloe Anglemyer; back row: Allison Page, head coach Ryan Mattem, Kim Minnich, coach Ryan Minnich, Lindsey Biller

the only players to return to their same spot from last season. Junior sisters Chloe and Tess Anglemyer are part of the new outfield, while seniors Simonne Lynn and Krista Yoder, and junior Emily Shay will be in the mix. Biller will be joined in the infield by junior Jessica Blessing at third, senior Chelsea Stutzman at shortstop and junior Morgan Yoder at second. Biller and the Anglemyers lead the way offensively, and base running should be

a team strength. "Our speed has definitely improved from where it was last year," Mattem said. "We got more athletic with our junior class that moved up, which 1 hope will translate to more success." Defensive improvement may be the biggest key for the Panthers. "We have to cut down on defensive mistakes," Mattem said. "With the mound being moved back 3 feet this year, defense is key. If we want to win, we have to play well there." What the squad lacks in experience, it makes up for in unity. "This team, like our com-

Girls Track will appeanruiSrt week's Advance-News. JV baseball and softball photos will also be published

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senior SpitaeMn exceptional o**) tact hitter wNrleeendy signed to play college baseball for Gra*t College. Junior Cory Snyder, an outstanding fielder, will patrol die, center field spot, while underrated senior Trent Wagner, a dangerous hitter who won a game wjth a grand slam last year, will be right. vs Besides Yoder on the hill, the Panthers will feature junior Cole Page who made several impressive varsity starts last year and has added 20 pounds to his slender frame, greatly increasing die velocity of his fastball. Snyder and Beehler will also see time on die mound, along with juniors Brandon Purcell and Zech Manring, the latter a sneaky'lefty with a wicked curveball. Rounding out the varsity squad will be junior Justin Miller, who will back up Sittler at catcher, and sophomore speedster Tanner Roberts, a multi-position player who is a definite base-stealing threat and will likely be used as a late-inning pinch-runner as needed. "I think we have the potential to be a very good team," added Davis. "Our conference is going to be very tough as always, with Northridge and Warsaw probably being the early favorites, but we have the capability of beating anyone on our schedule if we play to the best of our ability."

m unity, is very tight-knit," Mattem said. "They get along real well and there's no drama." Even if the desired results don't always materialize during the regular season, Mattem said continued hard work and keeping the right mind-set can go a long way at the end. "Just look at what our football team did (in 20Q5)," I he said. "They went 3-6 2nd went on to win state, We* want to compete well iq the regular season, but we have to play our best ball at the end and hopefully capture our first sectional championship."