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Wednesday, April 1, 2015 • Thursday, April 2, 2015
TCU softball brings back experienced team By PAT BECK
pbeck@stpeterherald.com
Tri City United Softball Head Coach: Phil Murry, 20th year as a head coach, 23rd year in softball. Served as Head Coach of Le Center/Cleveland for 19 years. 3 years of B Squad at TCU. This is his first year back as head coach. Varsity Assistant: Lora Angelino, 12th year. B Squad: Carolyn Harmeyer, 1st year as B Squad coach, 8th year in the program Junior High: Sarah Adams, 9th year; Diane Tiede, 1st year. Key Players Seniors: Sarah Holicky, Jenna Bednar, Sam Hellerud, Megan Skluzacek, Casey Hintz — “These seniors bring a lot of experience to our program,” Murry said. “This will be Sarah and Jenna’s 4th year on the varsity. Sarah will play shortstop, and Jenna will play first and possibly throw some for us. Sam, Meg and Casey all started games last year as juniors. Sam will pitch and play some outfield for us. While Megan Casey will see time in the infield and outfield respectively.” Keep Your Eye On Underclassmen: Anna Lloyd comes back after splitting her time last year between varsity and B squad. “She is working at catching so far, but is very versatile and will find playing time somewhere,” Murry said. Ellie Novak, 8th-grader, will get the opportunity to throw some
TCU first-base coach Lora Angileno is the first to congratulate her daughter, pitcher Alyshia Angileno, after she gets the win over St. Peter in the first round of the Section 2AA tournament last season. Shortstop Sarah Holicky and first baseman Jenna Bednar also join the celebration. (Pat Beck/St. Peter Herald)
for the varsity. “She is a very talented softball player that has put in a lot of time as she plays almost year round,” Murry said. Taylor Factor, junior — This will be Taylor’s first year on the varsity. “She is extremely quick and has the upper hand in the battle for center field,” Murry said.
Kaitlyn Buss, Sophomore — “An excellent arm sets her apart,” Murry said. “She looks to start the year at third base, but may also provide some pitching depth.” Moved On Alesha Angelino, Molly Ehlers 2015 Outlook “I look for us to be very com-
petitive this year,” Murry said. “We bring back players at some the key positions, (shortstop/ first base) as well as some other seniors that have played a lot of softball over the years. In addition, we have some young players that should be ready to step up and make an immediate impact.
If we can fill that hole, we can really be pretty good. Right now, it appears to be a battle between Juniors Erin Budin, Melynda Florea, and Anna Lloyd. We also have three freshman catchers that could see some action if needed.” “The conference and section begins and ends with Le SueurHenderson. They won the conference last year, won the section and finished runner-up in the state to Kasson-Mantorville. They return arguably the best player in Southern Minnesota, in Carly Brandt. They are far from a one-person team as the have a good mix of young players as well. “I see the rest of the conference as very well balanced. We face LSH in doubleheader at the end of the season. I would love to play well enough early to really make those games have some conference meaning.” Comments “I am excited to be back as a head coach. I feel that we have a very nice blend of experienced and young players. How well that translates into wins, remains to be seen. A lot will depend on how well we come together as a team. — Phil Murry, head coach By the Numbers 16 — Juniors and seniors 32 — Players in grades 9-12 23 — Number of years coaching softball
“We suffered a devastating injury during the basketball season, as three-year letter winner and last years catcher Dani Angelino tore her ACL and was lost for the season. That means that we will start the season, with no Reach Sports Editor Pat Beck one on the roster that has caught a at 931-8566 or follow him on complete game at the varsity level. Twitter.com @SPHSportsPat.