SEASON PREVIEW: ICHABOD CRANE SOFTBALL

Greg Dedrick
ccSCOOP Sports

04-05-10 - 7:15 a.m. - Coming off a successful 2009 season, the ICC Riders softball team is looking to reload from the inside rather than rebuild. The Riders lost four key contributors from last year in Alli Pullen, Keira MacDonald, Courtney Hill, and Elaine Hernandez, who will be tough to replace. Pullen was the Riders' star shortstop and a fantastic bat, while MacDonald roamed center field and brought great speed. “The seniors were strong leaders and knew what winning was all about,” said Riders coach Tracy Nytransky. 

This year’s team will return a lot of players, with many taking on new roles. “I think we made up for those losses [of the seniors] with key players picking up different roles,” explained Nytransky. Among those key returns are seniors Becca Smith and Sarah Wheeler. Smith has been the Riders starting catcher since 8th grade and, according to Nytransky, “is a strong competitor and a true captain on this team.” Wheeler has been hampered by injuries but is going to be looked to to take over third base and provide an offensive spark. 

Two of the most important returning pieces will be sophomore pitchers Jess Van Alphen and Erin Wadsworth, who will share the mound this season for Ichabod Crane. “We are looking for them to take us as far as we can possibly go on their arms,” said Nytransky. “They both had good years last year as freshman and continue to improve their pitching game.”

A trio of juniors—Lindsey Drumm, Christy Zander, and Jenna Smith—will all be looked to to provide quality bats and versatility in the field. Drumm will take over in center field, while Zander will pick up the role of starting second baseman which she had last year, and Smith will be looked to to play all over the diamond.

The Riders come into the year with high expectations despite their personnel losses. “This year I expect our seniors to step up big time. We made it to the semis last year in sectionals, and I think we really got a taste of how good we could be, and this year we don’t want to be let down again,” said Nytransky. “Everyone on this team will contribute in a big way.”

According to the coach the Riders should be in strong contention again this year, along with the other top finishers from last year.  “The biggest threats for us this year I believe will be Chatham and Taconic Hills.  Taconic has the league’s best pitcher in Aleshia Link and Chatham has some strong returning players.”  “I think we may surprise the league a little because we have a lot of different players in different positions.  We are going to be able to hit the ball.” added Nytransky.

Although the team has had limited access to the fields as always in the early season, Nytransky already sees some strengths and weaknesses coming through. “I think our biggest strength will be our will to win. We won’t go down without a fight. We know what we can do this year, and we are willing to work hard to get there.”

As for weaknesses, Nytransky commented, “We still have some work to do coming together as a team. I think it is coming nicely, but we still have a little work to do to make sure that we see everything with the same perspective.”

The Riders' goal this upcoming season is to win the sectional title after falling in the Class A Final Four last year. The coach is also eyeing a Patroon Conference title but sees the sectionals as the bigger goal. As for personal coaching goals, Nytransky has a plan in place. “My goal as a coach is to get us as prepared as I can to win every single game that we play, and if we do stumble along the way, then my goal is to help each player bounce back and gain confidence that we need to win.”

ICC’s roster this year is slated to have three seniors, seven juniors, three sophomores, and one freshman. Smith and Wheeler will be joined in the senior class by shortstop/outfielder Jillian Funk. The junior trio of Drumm, Zander, and Smith are joined by third baseman Shelby Noel and outfielders Olivia Clemente, Taylor Patzwahl, and Marissa Rowe. Van Alphen and Wadsworth, both pitcher/outfielders, are joined in the sophomore class by fellow pitcher/outfielder Ashley Adee. Shortstop Reychel Webster is the team’s only freshman.