Veteran Cloverdale squad gunning for four-peat in 2016
The sky may be the limit for the Cloverdale High School varsity softball team this season, as the Eagles take aim at what figures to be a monster 2016 campaign.
Veteran coach Margaret Fitzgerald is back to lead a veteran squad that is equal parts talent and experience, and one that may be considered among the best in school history.
“We have seven seniors with experience,” Fitzgerald reported. “They’ve won three consecutive NCL-1 championships and are determined to make it four in a row.”
Returning to lead the Eagles is senior four-year pitcher and reigning league MVP Teanne Edens, who has already signed a letter of intent to play for Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska on an athletic scholarship next year.
Edens is arguably the best hurler in CHS history, compiling a 54-14 career record, with 537 strikeouts and a 1.54 ERA. Last year she compiled a 20-5 record, firing eight shutouts while fanning 236 batters in 165 innings pitched. All this while carrying a .430 batting average.
The senior fireballer will have help this season with the emergence of freshman pitcher Sydney Hage, who will spell Edens late in games. The tandem has already paid dividends, with the pair joining forces in all four wins last week.
Other key returnees are seniors; first team all-league catcher Jordyn Turner, second team all-league third baseman Bailey Creager, second baseman and honorable mention selection Bailey Stewart and talented first baseman Celeste Gastineau.
Senior Hailey Donahoo returns to assume the shortstop position, while senior Amber Adams will play the outfield.
Rounding out the roster are junior outfielder Xochilth Saldana, sophomore utility player Hannah Bereschi, freshmen outfielder Heather Sterling and pitcher/utility player Sydney Hage.
Eagles out fast in
preseason
The Lady Eagles hit the ground running in their first taste of preseason action, logging an impressive 9-1 win over St. Vincent on March 15 before hosting the annual Cloverdale Tournament on Saturday, March 19.
Cloverdale posted tourney victories over College Prep (14-0), St. Joseph Nortre Dame (2-1, 8 innings), and logged a 2-1 win over Fortuna in the title game to take home the first place trophy. Edens, Hage and Turner all garnered all-tourney honors for Cloverdale.
The hot start and outstanding overall play was not lost on fans or the Eagles coaching staff.
“Our first four games went well, defeating a few of the top Division-5 teams (St. Joseph’s of Notre Dame and St. Vincent) in the process and knocking off powerhouse Fortuna in the championship game of our tournament,” Fitzgerald said. “We have areas to improve on and I expect the players to work hard toward getting better every day and striving toward a league and section championship.”
Of particular note is Cloverdale’s move from Division-5 for postseason play after competing in Division-4 last year. The change has stamped the Eagles as the team to beat, as they assume the number one ranking in the section within Division-5 teams.
Scheduling notes
Cloverdale (4-0) will get a rest this week before opening the league season at Middletown on March 31.
