Sports

PA Softball Drops Kimball Union Academy In First Game; Collins Pitches Flawlessly

The PA softball team kicked off their season with a shutout victory against Kimball Union Academy last Wednesday. Having played on its home field for less than one week, the team was still able to pull it together and take down KUA. Starting pitcher Danielle Collins ’04 dominated the KUA batters. Working with new catchers Dorothy Voorhees ’03 and Jenn Davis ’05, she struck out eight batters and gave up a mere two hits. PA played excellent defense, with May making two running catches in center field. Davis and Voorhees each threw out a runner attempting to steal a base. Leadoff batter Devon Dickerson ’04 went 2-for-4 and sparked the PA lineup from the top spot. Dickerson also proved her great eye, working the pitch count up in each of her at bats. For the girls to have a potent offense this season, they will need Dickerson on top of her game. Also turning in an excellent performance was third baseman Melissa Tetreau ’06, who also went 2-for-4. Along with Tetreau, seven other players made their PA Varsity debut on Wednesday. In the words of Coach Peter Drench, “We’re a young team, yet played solid defensively and weren’t undone by the nervousness everybody feels the first time out.” Second baseman Dickerson was also impressed with the team’s performance, saying, “Our win against Kimball Union Academy was the perfect way to start our 2003 season. It was only the third time we have played on our field this spring, and I was really impressed with the way that the team was able to come together.” Returning from last year are several of the teams’ core players. Their ace, Collins, is back and ready for another amazing year. Collins had an impressive season in 2002, striking out many opposing players, and nearly pitching a perfect game. Loosing all of last years’ back-up pitchers, Catherine Hambleton ’05 is a new comer that looks very promising. Her past pitching experience will be sure to help out PA tremendously in the upcoming season. Pitching is nothing without a skilled catcher, and PA is lucky to have two new players behind home plate. Voorhees and Davis are both catchers that will make fine replacements for last years’ girls. Also joining the catching position is Captain May, who also plays a mean centerfield. Running ahead to first base, PA has Taryn Zucker ’03, last years’ starter. Also retuning is Katie Koh ’05, who will take her place as a new first basemen. Last year, Koh participated on the varsity team as a pinch runner. No doubt, her speed will still come in handy, but this time she has a place on offense. Along with Captain May ’03, a group of fab freshman will patrol the outfield for the Lady Blue. Joining May will in the outfield with be Davis, Jevan Jammal ’06, Jamie Love ’06, and Melissa Tetreau ’06. A few of the girls can expect to see time in the infield as well. Newcomers and veterans alike are optimistic about the season ahead. Samantha Demetriou ’05 asserted, “The whole team has been really flexible with having to practice in the cage. Even though we haven’t been outside, I can tell we work well together.” Demetriou continued, saying, “Despite the fact that some of the new-comers are novices, they seem very eager to learn. As a whole, the season looks promising, and I hope it is.” Veteran Dickerson concluded, saying, “With such a young team, it will be exciting to see the team’s progression as the season unfolds.”