Musketeers make transition to 'small ball'
Once-powerful offense now doing the little things necessary to succeed
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?- Moorpark High sophomore Breeanna Holliday works on strengthening her wrists and arms by using a basketball during batting practice last week.

If there was one thing the Moorpark High softball team knew how to do last season, it was hit the long ball. The Musketeers led the Marmonte League with 20 home runs en route to an 8-6 league record.

With two of the Musketeers' leading power hitters, Cat Sampson and Kristine Priebe having graduated, however, Moorpark is now trying to score runs by playing small ball- hitand-runs, bunts and steals.

With an early 4-2 record, the strategy seems to be working.

"I feel like this year our lineup one through nine is very, very solid," Moorpark head coach Meaghan Stotts said. "I have a problem taking people out of our starting lineup because everyone contributes.

"Proof of this is our game against Newbury Park. We were losing until our No. 8 batter, Jamie Yaller, drove in two runs to put us ahead late in the game," Stotts said.

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers FIREARM- Musketeer senior second baseman Jamie Yaller shags a few balls during a recent team workout at MHS.

More proof that Stotts isn't solely relying on home runs comes with her decision to put junior shortstop Tori Flores, her top power hitter from last season, in the leadoff spot.

Flores tied Simi Valley's Samantha Fischer for the league lead in home runs last year with six.

"I put her in the No. 1 spot because she is one of the most consistent hitters I've ever had," Stotts said. "I'm hoping that right away she does something good against the opposing pitcher, and that will give the rest our team confidence."

Flores said she feels comfortable in her new spot in the lineup.

"I like batting first more than anywhere else in the order," Flores said. "The team is relying on me to get on base and start it off, and I like that pressure. We lost some of our best players from last season, so this seems the best way for us to score runs."

Once Flores is on base, the Musketeers have many hitters looking to drive her in.

One hitter eager to feast on RBI opportunities is senior Taylor Neumann, who hit .400 with four home runs and 19 RBI last season. Neumann also earned the Marmonte League Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2007 for her play as Moorpark's catcher.

"Taylor is irreplaceable," Stotts said. "Not only is she one of the best catchers in the league, if not the best, but she's also one of the better catchers in the Ventura County."

With Neumann being such a force behind the plate, Stotts put sophomore Danielle Fletcher at third base. Fletcher's natural position is catcher.

"There was no way that Taylor wasn't going to catch this season, but Danielle's bat is so important that I had to find a place for her to play," Stotts said. "She will make all the routine plays at third base, and that's all we can ask of her right now."

Other top hitters for Moorpark include seniors Megan Chrans and Amanda Sedo, both of whom were members of the AllMarmonte second team last year.

Chrans' .425 average last season was the third highest in the Marmonte League. Sedo hit .323 with three home runs.

Breeanna Holliday, Breanne Parr, Yaller and Priebe's younger sister, Kaitlin, are also contributing with the bat.

While Moorpark isn't having problems scoring runs, the team's pitching will have to step up if the squad wants to get back in the postseason.

The Musketeers took an unexpected hit to their staff earlier this year when Shawna Sturgill, the team's leader in innings pitched last season, decided to give up the sport.

Liz Wilson takes over the role of ace after going 8-1 a year ago. According to Neumann, Wilson will get better as the year goes on.

"She's been a good pitcher, but at times she gets a little nervous out there," Neumann said. "She just needs to hit her spots and she'll be fine."

Holliday will be the Musketeers' only other pitcher this season. According to Stotts, both hurlers will be used each game, with Wilson starting the majority of the contests.

"Our pitching complements each other because we have different styles of throwing," Wilson said. "We work well together, and we're always complementing each other on the field."

Last season Moorpark lost to Hart of Newhall in the first round of the CIFSouthern Section Division I playoffs. According to Stotts, the defeat has helped motivate MHS this season.

"The loss left a real bad taste in our mouth, and it was something we had to sit on the whole offseason," Stotts said. "The kids have learned from it, however, and our ultimate goal is to get past the first round of the playoffs and do some damage."

Moorpark hosted Simi Valley Thursday afternoon.