Kansas City Kansas Community College

Preview 2010 Schedule

Not only is this year’s Kansas City Kansas Community College softball squad the biggest in years, it could well be the best since the Lady Blue Devils last qualified for the national tournament in 2004.

“This team has more talent, athleticism and speed than we have had in several years,” says Coach Kacy Tillery, who is in her ninth year as head coach. Weather permitting, the Blue Devils will open at home against Bethany’s JV on Thursday, Feb. 25, at 3 p.m.

Chemistry can also be thrown into the equation. “It’s the best we’ve had in the last three or four years, a really good group,” says Tillery. “They all did very well in the classroom, they get along well, are fun to be around and they make it exciting to go to practice.”

If there’s a drawback, it’s a lack of experience. There’s only six sophomores on the 21-member squad although Tillery is convinced there’s enough talent to overcome what experience might be lacking. And it all starts in the most critical department, pitching. “We have the most pitching depth ever, six pitchers including five freshmen,” says Tillery.

Sarah Payan, a righthander from El Paso, Tex., is the lone returnee from a year ago. “Sarah’s record is not a true indicator of how she pitched; our defense let a lot of games get away,” Tillery says of Payan’s 3-12 record with a 4.69 ERA. “She was unbeaten in the fall and does a great job of keeping the ball low in the zone.”

Jenyce Spence, a hard-thrower from Baxter Springs, will be Payan’s top challenger for the No. 1 starting role with Fallon Thompson of Piper and Briannah Williams of Highland Park in Topeka also very much in the mix. “Spence and Williams both are very strong and throw hard while Thompson may be a diamond in the rough,” says Tillery, “She didn’t pitch much in high school but has worked real hard, keeps the ball low, changes speed and could be real effective.” Relief will come from freshmen Leah Roberts of Basehor-Linwood and Janet Rodriguez of El Paso.

The starting catching job is shaping up as a battle between veteran Codi Schierbaum of Base-Linwood and freshman Cymantha Hamilton of Bishop Ward. Schierbaum hit .349 last year while Hamilton was impressive in the fall with her handling of pitchers and throwing arm.

Sophomores Katie Rhodes of Piper and Chelsea Crouch of Bonner Springs return to anchor the infield at shortstop and second base. Crouch, who is making the transition from third to second, hit .358 last season with17 RBI while Rhodes hit .192 in limited playing time after transferring from Washburn. They’ll be joined by Michielle Rodarte of El Paso at first and Courtney Ruth of Lee’s Summit North at third.

Jordanne Leiker, who hit .307 with 10 RBI, will get the start in left field with freshmen Rose Breitenstein of Bishop Ward in center and Briannah Williams in right when not on the mound. Erika Gonzales of Garden City and Leah Roberts are also very much in the outfield mix.

Freshman Jayme Foskett of Leavenworth will provide solid backup at the two middle infield spots along with Lansing products Keasla Hundley and Mallory Barnhouse while sophomore Alica Alaniz of Bishop Miege and Chantille Campbell of Norton are possibilities as designated hitters along with Spence and Schierbaum. Campbell, who joined the squad at the semester, is coming off a shoulder injury and could provide needed power.

“Defensively, I think we’ll be much improved,” says Tillery, who is again being assisted by Justin Cothran. “One of the things I like about this team is the many options, players who can play more than one position. And there’s a lot more depth, a lot of players who could move up into the starting lineup very quickly. Offensively, we need to get the bats of Jenyce Spence and Codi Schierbaum in the lineup. If we can get our speedsters like Rose Breitenstein and Chelsea Crouch on base, I think we can score some runs.”

The Blue Devils will open Jayhawk East Conference play Tuesday, March 2, when they host Johnson County in games at 1 and 3 p.m.