Albion girls eye rebound softball season

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 21 March 2018 at 9:27 am

Photo by Mike Wertman – Veteran upperclassmen members of the Albion softball squad include, in front, Sarah Gregori, Brylie Hapeman, Lexi Wolck and Sierra Newton. In back are Erin Doty, Natalie DiCureia, Janae Doty and Haley Black.

Looking to rebound from last year’s 3-9 league campaign, the Albion softball squad is prepping for the Niagara-Orleans season led by a good veteran nucleus of eight upperclassmen.

That veteran group includes seniors Erin Doty (pitcher/outfield), Janae Doty (catcher), Natalie DiCureia (infield) and Haley Black (outfield) along with juniors Sarah Gregori (catcher), Lexi Wolck (infield), Brylie Hapeman (outfield) and Sierra Newton (first base).

DiCureia earned second team N-O All-League honors last spring while Hapeman and Newton both received Honorable Mention.

Three sophomores, who all saw varsity action late last season, also return including Paige Derisley (infield), Kendall Derisley (outfield) and Ella Knaak (pitcher/first base).

Rounding out the Purple Eagles roster are juniors Alexis Bentley (outfield) and Marie Reynolds (outfield).

“We have a lot of fielding experience but pitching is the big question mark. That is where we lack the experience,” said Coach Cathy Schmitt. “We need to play good defense and play to our potential.”

The Purple Eagles are scheduled to begin N-O competition at Akron on April 9.

Schedule
March: 26 – at Lockport, 4:45 p.m.; 28 – Batavia, 4:45 p.m.
April: 4 – at Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.; 6 – Alden 12 p.m.; 9 – at Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 11 – Barker, 4:45 p.m.; 13 – at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; 16 – Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; 18 – Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 20 – at Medina, 4:45 p.m.; 24 – Aquinas, 4:45 p.m.; 27 – at Barker, 4:45 p.m.; 30 – Newfane, 4:45 p.m.
May: 2 – at Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; 4 – at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 5 – at Brockport, 3 p.m.; 7 – Medina, 4:45 p.m.; 11 – Akron, 4:45 p.m.