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Posted April 10, 2008

PREP SOFTBALL PREVIEW: Assumption looks to continue dominance in Marawood
By Mark Massoglia
Daily Tribune Staff
mark.massoglia@cwnews.net
A year ago the Assumption softball team had to share the Marawood Conference title for the first time.

The Royals are accustomed to not having to share, but they kept their championship run intact with a largely new team.

This season that group is no longer the new girls on the block. They are a seasoned group that reached the sectional finals.

Winning the South Division title for an eighth time is job No. 1 for the Royals, who are an amazing 83-3 against conference rivals since joining the league for the 2000-01 season.

"Our biggest focus is winning the conference title," Royals coach Jim Getzloff said. "That's always the first step to the rest of our goals. After the conference schedule is over, we look to the regional and see how things go from there."

Added senior Katie Moran, "Winning the conference is definitely our first goal because it's a tradition we've had going here for quite a while. It's not going to be easy because Pittsville and Stratford are both good teams and they will be challenging games when we play them."

With six returning starters, Assumption should be able to position itself for another run at the conference crown.

Leading the charge is a group of all-conference performers -- seniors Steph Garza and Moran, juniors Jada Straub and Brittney Brock, and sophomore Chelsey Brandl.

Brock shouldered most of the pitching duties last season, striking out 35 in 42 innings and posting a 2.00 ERA in conference games. She also led the Royals in hitting with a .541 Marawood batting average.

Brandl hit .406 and Moran .391, while Straub fanned 32 batters in 22 innings.

Garza returns at catcher, while Brandl is making the move from right field to third base. The rest of the infield remains unchanged from last season.

What is open are the three outfield positions. Getzloff is patiently waiting to see who will step up and claim the spots.

A tougher schedule, which includes Division 2 West Salem, Division 3 Stevens Point Pacelli and 2006 state champion Highland, will hopefully have the team battle tested for the tournament series.