Lady Raiders have versatile lineup

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 22 March 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Mike Wertman – Veteran members of the Barker softball squad includes, from left, Kelsey Blackley, Olivia Denny, Brooke Targus, Brooke Bodine and Erika Moeller.

Boasting a versatile roster, Barker is taking aim at improving upon last year’s 4-10 Niagara-Orleans League softball record.

“We’ve got plenty of versatility and good team chemistry as they are all embracing their roles giving us good flexibility,” said Coach Bill Moeller. “We look to be really solid up the middle.”

Senior Olivia Denny (catcher/shortstop), who earned first team N-O All-League honors last spring, heads that versatile catcher-pitcher-middle infield group which also includes senior Brooke Targus (catcher/second base), juniors Kelsey Blackley (pitcher/third base) and Destinee Hillman (pitcher/shortstop) and sophomore Erika Moeller (pitcher/second base).

Senior Julia Atwater (first base)and junior Melissa Grosshans (shortstop) round out the Lady Raiders infield contingent.

Senior center fielder Brooke Bodine heads the outfield group which also includes senior Heather Mason, juniors Monica Larock, Ann Buffington, Chelsea Stratton and sophomores Lindsey Williams, Courtney Bodine and Mary Rounds.

“It’s really a good group,” said Moeller. “We’ve got three pitchers and good flexibility.”

Barker is scheduled to open the N-O season on April 2 at Newfane.

The Lady Raiders schedule is as follows:
March 28 – at Lew-Port, 4:30 p.m.
March 31 – at CCA, TBA
April 1 – at Elba, 4:30 p.m.
April 2 – at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.
April 4 – Albion, 4:45 p.m.
April 5 – at Alexander Tournament, TBA
April 7 – Akron, 4:45 p.m.
April 9 – Wilson, 4:45 p.m.
April 11 – at CSAT, 4:45 p.m.
April 23 – at Medina, 4:45 p.m.
April 25 – at Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.
April 26 – at Lyndonville, 11 a.m.
April 28 – Newfame. 4:45 p.m.
April 30 – at Albion, 4:45 p.m.
May 2 – at Akron, 4:45 p.m.
May 7 – at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.
May 8 – CSAT, 4:45 p.m.
May 12 – Medina, 4:45 p.m.
May 14 – Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.