Albion softball team faces rebuilding task

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 28 March 2017 at 7:12 pm

Photo by Mike Wertman – Leading the Albion softball squad this season will be this group of veterans. In front are Skyler Smith and Isabella Prest. In back are Brylie Hapeman, Sierra Newton, Natalie DiCureia and Janae Doty.

Hit hard by graduation, the Albion softball squad faces a bit of a rebuilding job heading into the upcoming Niagara-Orleans League season.

Seniors Isabella Prest (outfield) and Skyler Smith (pitcher) along with juniors Natalie DiCureia (infield/catcher) and Janae Doty (infield) and sophomores Brylie Hapeman (outfield), Sierra Newton (infield) and Catherine Wolck (infield) anchor the Purple Eagles squad. Prest earned second team N-O All-League honors while DiCureia was an Honorable Mention selection.

Albion’s graduation losses include pitcher/infielder Meghan Hurley, who earned first team N-O All-League honors, along with the Honorable Mention quartet of Ashlee Bocach (infield), Ellen Narburgh (pitcher), Kelsee Soule (infield) and Olivia Prest (catcher).

“It will be a rebuilding year for us as we lost a lot of seniors,” said Coach Cathy Schmitt. “We will need a complete team effort. The kids will have to step up to the plate and be ready to play any position we need them to play.”

Albion, which went 7-7 in N-O competition last spring, will open the league season at home against Newfane on April 3.

Schedule
March: 29 – at Lew-Port, 4:45 p.m.; 30 – at Lockport, 4:45 p.m.

April: 1 – Spencerport, 1 p.m.; 3 – Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; 5 – Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 12 – at Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; 13 – at Dunkirk, 12 p.m.; 19 – at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 21 – Medina, 4:45 p.m.; 26 – at Akron, 4:45 p.m.

May: 1 – at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; 2 – Barker, 4:45 p.m.; 3 – Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; 5 – Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 8 – at Medina, 4:45 p.m.; 10 – at Aquinas, 5 p.m.; 11 – at Barker, 4:45 p.m.; 12 – at Lake Placid, 4:30 p.m.; 13 – at Lake Placid, 4:30 p.m.