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Show SPANISH FORK WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2009 • A13 Covering what matters most SFHS softball preview SFHS baseball: Brent Thurgood From DONS • A14 STAFF WRITER Coach Andrews has reloaded his Spanish Fork Lady Dons fast pitch softball team for another shot at their third consecutive Region 4 title and hopefully another deep run into the 5A State tournament. This will be Spanish Fork's last year in the 5A ranks where they have enjoyed quite a bit of success. Over their three seasons in the states largest classifications the Dons have one State Championship, one State Runner-up as well as two region titles to place in the trophy case. This year they hope to continue that success before dropping down to 4A. The Dons return several starters from last seasons team including Katelyn Elliot, Tina Ferguson, Kylie BrinkerNamon Bills / Spanish Fork News hoff, Kylie Bufton as well as Lea Adamson. Cami HEY PITCHER, PITCHER: Cami Robinson will return to the Robinson who led the Dons mound for her senior year with the Lady Dons. in wins last year as a junior also returns for her senior the mound and also provide Pleasant Grove Vikings as season. While the Dons have some help at the plate. Rob- well as the Lehi Pioneers a lot of experience returning erts saw limited but suc- but Lone Peak could be a this season they also have a cessful action last season surprise. Pleasant Grove number of key positions to as a sophomore. Coach An- and Lehi both have at least fill after losing three fourths drews will however need one quality starting pitcher of their infield from a season other juniors and even some who has good velocity, loago as well as their center sophomores to step up and cation and ball movement. fielder. Last years seniors give the team a lift when Last season Pleasant Grove handed Spanish Fork their Linsdee Thurgood, Whitney needed. Holm, Ashley Chappel and The Dons have a ex- first and only region loss in Aly Tingey started a com- tremely tough pre-season two seasons, not to mention bined 10 seasons for Coach schedule this year with gave Spanish Fork their Andrews. match ups against Hunter first loss of the 2008 seaThe Dons should be ex- and Tooele not to mention son after starting 19-0. The plosive again this season rival Springville High be- starting pitcher for the Viat the plate where coach fore heading to St. George kings in that game returns Andrews should get plenty where they are scheduled to again this season to battle of hits and power from his play teams form California the Dons. Coach Andrews six returning seniors. Ju- and Nevada. Their major and the Lady Dons however nior Dezli Roberts should region competition this sea- are excited to get the 2009 -x)a-^SQiushould co.me .fcora..the season underway. Salem Youth Basketball Pitching The strength of this year's team is on the mound. The Universityof-Utah-bound Brock Duke will anchor the staff. Brock has pitched on the varsity level since he was a freshman and the Dons are expecting big things from him in his final year. Junior Adam Duke has also been pitching on the varsity level since he was a freshman. The younger Duke has a nasty breaking ball that fools even the best of hitters. Senior Chase Castleberry has worked hard in the off season, which caught the eye of Salt Lake Community College, who signed him to pitch for them next season. The Dons have a southpaw in Tyler Duffin to help out in the bullpen that struggled at times last season. Taylor Brockbank will also see time on the hill for the Dons. Coach Shoe said, "The key to our pitching staff is accepting our roles and having a better bullpen." Infield If defense wins championships then the Dons are in good shape. The Dons have a solid catcher in Tagg Lunceford. Lunceford has varsity experience and leads by example with a hard work ethic. First base looks to be occupied by Greg Money who Coach Shoe feels is one of the bestfieldingfirst basemen to play for SF in sometime. Second base will.be occupied by Trevor Randolph, who can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. Shortstop and third will depend on who is pitching, but Hadley Thorpe will likely see time at both positions because of his great defensive abilities. Braden Warren and Taylor Brockbank will also see time in the infield. Namon Bills / Spanish Fork News VETERAN: Brock Duke will lead the Dons in pitching this year. The senior has a great arm and plenty of experience. Outfield The Dons are loaded with speed in the outfield. Brett Grover and Nate Binks can cover ground in a hurry. Throw in Dallas Smith, and the outfield appears to be as solid as ever. Ryan Ware, Taylor Brockbank and Braden Warren are also looking for playing' time in the outfield. If need be, the Dons can look to Adam Duke, Gavin Hales, Corbin Chappie and Travis Still to compete in the outfield. Hitting Top to bottom the batting order looks to be powerful. Trevor Randolph will lead off, with lefty Greg Money following him up. 3-4-5 hitters will likely be Dallas Smith, Brock Duke and Braden Warren. The rest of the lineup will consist of Brett Grover, Nate Binks, Tagg Lunceford and Hadley Thorpe, all of whom are consistent hitters that will provide pop to the bottom of the order. As always, other players may step up and play their way into the lineup. >;The seasonJooks bright, Tjttf the play fakes place on the field. The Dons open the season with a home game on March 13 against a good Viewmont team. If you have don't have rooms in St. George, you may want to bring a tent for the annual Sunshine Tournament the following week. When asked about this year's baseball team, Principal McKee said, "Bring it on." Tall and short: win," she said. "I keep them positive — keep them up so we don't just give up." She didn't make the Redd and Cooper also team last year, and worked shared some fun experihard all summer to make it ences related to height. this year. That hard work One time at practice Coogave her the confidence to per ran right under Redd's go head-to-head with big- legs, utilizing a move she ger players. She also sees developed in Jr. Jazz. her size as an advantage. "In Jr. Jazz I was play"I have good ball-han- ing and I got doubledling skills," she said. "I teamed and these girls sneak around, so I some- were swarming me," she times stuff tall people or said. "I dribbled between steal it." one girl's legs and made a Cooper also acts as a jump shot." leader for the team, giving That's using your height encouragement even when to your advantage. the game isn't going in Both girls enjoy playtheir favor. ing together and recognize "I help lead the team to each others strengths. CooFrom LADY DONS • A14 Courtesy photo PERFECT RECORD: The Salem Spartans are the 6th Grade Boys League Champions (7-0). Pictured, front row, left to right, are Mitch King, Neil Davis, Brady Bott and Connor Osborn; back row, Coach Jim Spencer, Kendrick Spencer, Matt Marziale, Erik Johnson, Trevor Gasser and Coach Troy Gasser. South County Champs per said Redd is a great team player. "Erin's awesome! She's a good player and she works her heart out." Redd in turn commented on Cooper's drive not only to improve herself but also those around her. "She's always pushing herself and always helping others get better too." Tall or short, the girls both agree, it's not about your height — it's what you've got inside. "It doesn't matter how tall or short you are; it's how big your heart is," said Cooper. And that's the tall and short of it. SAM'S PREP OF THE WEEK Trever Leifson • Senior • Football/Basketball/Baseball Courtesy photo WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: Here are the 2009 South County Tournament Champions in the 9th-10th grade bracket. Pictured are, left to right, back row, Assistant coach Kade Scoresby, Eric Knutsen, Trevor Palmer, Dustin Ivers, Nate Christensen, and Skyler Hughes; front row, are Jaxon Hancock, Jake Christensen, Blake Adams, and Coach Kelly Hancock. Congratulations! Trever Leifson is the son of Lynn and Diane Leifson. He's lived in Spanish Fork his whole life. Trever helps out with football, basketball and baseball. He said that basketball is his favorite sport. Trever's role on the basketball team is to get the teamed pumped up. "That's important/'he said. Trever is also excited for baseball season to get started. the Oil Change N. Main • 798-7877 |