Young talent gives WHS softball team a boost
Warriors' goal is to win league
By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers LEADER- Westlake junior shortstop Nora Sobczak prepares to fire the ball to first base during Tuesday's practice session. Sobczak, who serves as a team co-captain, is excited about the Warriors' prospects for the upcoming Marmonte League schedule.

A small group of underclassmen and four veteran juniors have helped revitalize the Westlake High girls' softball team.

Fifth-place finishers in the Marmonte League a year ago, the Warriors (3-3) head into next Tuesday's league opener at Thousand Oaks sporting a roster that features three starting freshmen and only one senior.

Not to worry, says Westlake head coach Lynn Baum, because despite their youth the Warriors are an experienced group of athletes who've grown up playing softball for most of their lives.

"There's definitely some experience on this team," Baum said. "We've got a great group of juniors, and all of the sophomores were on the varsity team last year. Plus, most of the girls, even the younger girls, play on travel teams, too."

So far this preseason it's been a trio of freshmen who've carried the Warrior offense.

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers TIMELY HITTING, POWER PITCHING- Senior Katherine Wilkins, above, slaps at a pitch during practice, while junior Jenna Becerra, below, works from the mound. WHS is off to a 3-3 start.

Catcher Rebecca Esquivel has hit safely in four of her first eight atbats and has shown a tremendous arm behind the plate. Leadoff hitter Caylin Campbell is batting .421 and tops WHS with four stolen bases. And first baseman Amanda Ackourey ranks third on the team with a .412 batting average.

With the three freshmen in the starting lineup, Baum said the Warriors have much more speed on the base paths and can manufacture runs with greater ease. They've also helped improve the defense by leaps and bounds, she said.

"The youngsters are leading the team in hitting," Baum said. "That's a very good thing."

Despite the influx of new talent, juniors Jenna Becerra and Nora Sobczak remain the heart and soul of the Warriors.

Becerra is Westlake's No. 1 pitcher and also plays shortstop. On the mound, Becerra possesses seven different pitches. She doesn't overpower hitters, instead relying on movement and location to record outs.

"There are a lot of good softball players in this league, so they know what they're doing," Becerra said.

"The hitters are not intimidated by the speed of the pitch; that's why you have to use a lot of movement," she said. "They can hit something fast and down the middle, but they have a more difficult time with a moving pitch."

Sobczak, the starting shortstop and team co-captain along with senior left fielder Katherine Wilkins, agreed that the Warrior offense has improved from last season. Still, she isn't necessarily convinced Westlake is the type of team that can score runs in bunches.

To be effective on offense, Sobczak said, the Warriors must do the little things right.

"We'll be scavenging for runs," she said. "It'll be hard to get the runs we need, but we'll find ways; people will come through. . . .

"We have to bunt well. We'll have to be situational and get hits when we need them. When people get on base, we can't leave them on."

Westlake's only starting job in the infield that remains uncertain is at third base, where sophomore Kaitlyn Pippin and junior Nicole Glaser are vying for playing time. Sobczak will also work the hot corner on occasion.

Glaser could also end up platooning with Wilkins in left field, Baum said.

A pair of sophomores comprise the remainder of the Warriors' starting outfield. Amanda Collins will patrol center field while Melissa Preish plays right. Sophomore Carly Handelman will be used in a utility outfield role.

While Becerra expects to shoulder the load on the mound when league play begins, junior Rachel Wisuri and sophomore Christine Magee have already proven early on that they can get the job done as well.

Magee has posted a microscopic .944 ERA in 22 innings of work, while Wisuri's allowed one hit and no runs in four innings pitched.

Becerra is confident Westlake will challenge for a league title this year.

"They always talk about our league being one of the toughest to rank because anyone can beat anyone on any given day," Becerra said.

"I think we can be competitive, even with Royal and T.O. We've beaten Thousand Oaks and been extremely close with Royal before. No (there's no fear). Not at all."