The Rising Sun softball team and new coach Rusty Moore are still getting to know one another. Once that process is over and the season heats up, Moore is confident the Tigers will be ready for a playoff run. "I think we're just as capable as anybody else," he said. "I'm new so I'm trying to learn them and they're trying to learn me. We're just looking for the pieces that work the best together."
A trio of junior pitchers are expected to be key components. Megan Keane, who saw a lot of innings on varsity last season, is slated to be the Opening Day starter Friday vs. North East. Moore also has confidence in Kristin VanDyke and Shannon Shivery "All three pitchers are right around the zone with several pitches," Moore said. "They have really good control. They know it's important we eliminate free passes." The starting catcher position is wide open. Maddie Foard, who started at second base last season, could see time behind the plate and Sam Keane and freshman Emily Consiglio both could see action early in the season while Moore searches for the right lineup combination. Lexi Osborne is a returning starter at first base with VanDyke and Shivery each also capable of playing there. If Foard is catching, promising freshman Mia Sexton could be at second base. Returning starter Brooke Bower is slated to be a starting middle infielder. The returning starting shortstop Paige Bradford is working her way back from an injury suffered during basketball season. Moore says the plan is to find a spot in the lineup for all four players – Foard, Sexton, Bower and Bradford. Kelly Porte and Lexie Barclay are vying for time at third base. Returning starter Aly Jackson is back in the outfield with the other two spots up for grabs between Shivery, VanDyke, Barclay and the aforementioned infielders. "Whoever shows me they can hit I'm going to put in there," Moore said. Moore, who guided Perryville to two region titles in the last three years, knows what it takes to be a state tournament-cailber team. "Our first goal is to do well in the county," he said. "That's a good barometer because Cecil County is one of the top softball counties in the state. Our second goal is to do well in the UCBAC. Our third goal has to be to go deep into the playoffs. We want to get a top seed and dictate that teams come to us." Comments are closed.
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