By Michael Kinney
It was a short day for Moore. In their 15-1 season opening victory over Putnam City Tuesday, the Lions needed only three innings of work to rack up 15 runs, 14 hits, nine doubles and two homers.
It's the type of statement the MHS slowpitch team likes to make when they start a season.
"I thought we hit the ball pretty good," Moore coach Robert Wakefield said. "Defensively we played errorless ball and Heather Hinkle pitched well. Tara Martini and Alex Milligan each had three hits. Sydney Garcia, Heather Hinkle and Raegan Sampson each had two hits with Sydney and Brandi Berna having home runs."
However, what gave the Lions problems last year wasn't the start of the season. It was the end. Despite taking a 36-1 record into their semifinal match with Jenks, Moore came up one run short in the 8-7 loss.
The bulk of that teams returns this season for another crack at taking home a state title, which they last won in 2008.
"I think we will be able to score runs," Wakefield said. "We have six returning starters coming off of our 36-2 2009 season. Some of the new girls will have to fill in and prove that they can play at a 6A level which I know they will."
One of the new players who will be looking to prove to Wakefield they belong is freshman Hannah Lynch, who is starting at catcher. She is the only freshman to make the everyday starting lineup.
The left side of the field will be manned senior Sydney Garcia, who returns at shortstop, and Alex Milligan at third, who is playing slowpitch for the first time after a stellar fastpitch career.
"Junior Heather Hinkle will be our starting pitcher along with freshman Kylie Gaither seeing time there," Wakefield said. "First base will be three year starter Tara Martini. Second base could be by committee until someone steps up and takes the job. Candidates are sophomore Stephanie Couser, freshmen Caitlyn Hall and Tiana Gutierrez."
The Lions outfield will consists of seniors Amanda Genzer, Courtney Carlin and Brandi
Berna. Juniors will be Hannah Coker and Raegan Sampson will also see time.
"Our lineup is going to be very interchangeable and depth will be a key," Wakefield said. "Of course we will look to Sydney Garcia, Tara Martini, and Brandi Berna to have the big bats for us. I think Alex is going to be a big plus at third and at the plate. Both Hannah's have had good preseason's, but now have to carry it over to the games. Amanda Genzer will be our leader in the outfield playing center field. I also expect big things from Heather Hinkle on the mound and being pushed by Kylie Gaither."
After taking on Blanchard and Southmoore earlier in the week, Moore will get its first opportunity to face many of the top programs on the east side of the state starting today in the Union 3rd Annual Spring Tournament. Muskogee, Union and defending champion Jenks are all on hand chasing the early season crown.
Ten teams will battle over two days in pool play. The championship is set for 5 p.m. Thursday.
"We open up with Haskell at 1 p.m., Norman at 4 p.m. and Sand Springs at 5 p.m. on Wednesday," Wakefield said. "Thursday we play No. 1 ranked Jenks at 11 a.m. and probably ending up play Union or Muskogee. So it will be a good early test for us to see where we are and what we need to work on."
