Lady Tigers possess youth with experience
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Youth with experience may be the best way to describe the 2008 Amherst Central softball team.

Lady Tigers coach Mike Chatelle returns eight of his 12 players from last year's 9-13 team but only five are seniors.

As an example of its youth with experience at certain positions, look no further than its pitching staff.

Leading the way are freshman Jessica Banning and sophomore Abby DeFrancis. Banning was thrust into the team's No. 1 last year and thrived.

"She was pretty poised and confident last year," said Chatelle. "I can only see her getting better."

When not pitching, Banning can play at shortstop, second base or in the outfield.

DeFrancis was pulled up from JV halfway through last season. When she's not pitching, she'll start at second base. She can also play at shortstop if needed.

"She's got real soft hands defensively and when she gets on base, has good speed," said Chatelle.

Senior Katy Tirella and junior Dana Illos can also pitch.

Tirella will start at third base. Illos will probably be a reserve at first base.

Other starting infielders are senior first baseman Kelly Dixson and junior shortstop Eva Lankes.

Chatelle said Dixson can hit for power and will probably bat in the cleanup spot.

Lankes, who has started since her freshman year, bats right-handed but can also put pressure on opposing defenses with her speed when she gets the ball in play from the left side.

Lankes, a returning ECIC II second-team selection, is also quick on the bases. Last year, she led the team with 10 stolen bases.

Sophomore Kara Stein and senior Katie Bardak are dead even for the starting catcher duties. Stein will play at third base if Tirella is pitching. Bardak could also play in left field.

Junior JV call-up Darcy Regan will back up DeFrancis at second base.

The outfield will possibly feature sophomore Rachel Schepart in center field and either senior Carolyn Trabert or Dana Ruh in right field. Ruh led Amherst in runs scored last year.

If Bardak catches, Banning or Trabert could play in right field.

Because of student enrollment, Amherst moves down from ECIC II to III. Chatelle is confident his team can play well consistently through the season.

Amherst's season ended last year with a loss to Williamsville South in the Section VI Class A prequartefinals.
Amherst 2008 Schedule
4-7 at Tonawanda ....................... 4:30 p.m.

4-8 at Grand Island .................... 4:30 p.m.
4-21 at Depew ............................. 4:30 p.m.
4-22 at Cheektowaga ................. 4:30 p.m.
4-23 at Maryvale ......................... 4:30 p.m.
4-24 Iroquois................................ 4:30 p.m.
4-28 at Pioneer............................ 4:30 p.m.
4-30 at Starpoint ......................... 4:30 p.m.
5-1 at East ................................... 4:30 p.m.
5-5 Tonawanda............................ 4:30 p.m.
5-7 Depew.................................... 4:30 p.m.
5-8 at North ................................. 4:30 p.m.
5-9 Maryvale ................................ 4:30 p.m.
5-12 Cheektowaga ...................... 4:30 p.m.
5-14 Pioneer ................................ 4:30 p.m.
5-15 at Sweet Home................... 4:30 p.m.
5-16 Starpoint.............................. 4:30 p.m.
5-19 at Clarence.......................... 4:30 p.m.
5-21 Lancaster............................. 4:30 p.m.
5-22 Frontier................................ 4:15 p.m.
5-27 Ken. West ............................ 4:30 p.m.
5-28 at W.S. West ............................. 4 p.m.