by Devan Matthews

Correspondent

It's going to be difficult to top the 2007 season, but the Maple Heights softball team is certainly going to try.

The Mustangs finished with an overall record of 16-8 last year, setting a new school record for wins in a single season. They also captured the Erie Division championship in the Lake Erie League, setting a number of school records for offensive production in the process.

Maple Heights lost three players to graduation, and all three were four-year letter winners: Aleah Moss (catcher), Ashley Scott (third base) and Angel Daniels (first base).

However, the cupboard is far from bare for Maple Heights. The Mustangs are returning three seniors, starting with No. 1 pitcher Sam DeJarnett.

The other two seniors are Crystal Alexander and Monica Daniel. Alexander has played center field for the past three years, but she's the starting catcher this season. Daniel will play right field and be the backup catcher.

Maple Heights also has a nice junior class, led by All-LEL selection Krystina Pace. She started in left field last year, but will play third base this season.

The other returning juniors include Ashley Borden (shortstop), Shanae James (second base), Arlene Foster (first base) and Shanna Gregory (outfield).

The Mustangs' No. 2 pitcher will be sophomore Nique Walton.

There are also two newcomers to the team, both of who have worked their way into the starting lineup. Those two are freshman Tai Lattimore and sophomore Eleanor Seasor.

Lattimore will start in center field, while Seasor will split her time between catcher, first base, the outfield and being the designated hitter.

According to Maple Heights head coach Rocco Covelli, the effectiveness of the Mustangs' pitching holds the key to their season.

"We have confidence in Sam," said Covelli. "She won 15 games last year, and we're confident that she can do it again. Our number-two pitcher, Nique, has pitched a couple of games for us and got a win. We have more pitching depth than last season, with Shanna and Tai as our third and fourth pitchers."

Covelli is focusing on making sure that the Mustangs have the appropriate amount of depth at all positions, which partly explains why so many players are making switches.

"The key this year is depth," said Covelli. "That's why we have so many girls playing different positions. Offensively, we should be fine. I expect us to hit like last season, especially one through five. The bottom of the order is young. We said that last year, too. It's going to depend on the girls getting experience."

As far as goals are concerned, the Mustangs have an obvious one.

"Our goal is simple: to repeat as LEL champs," said Covelli. "And if possible, we want to surpass the win total of last year's team, and we want to do it with a stronger schedule. We have tougher teams on the schedule this season, which will make it more challenging."

Covelli is starting his fifth year as the head coach at Maple Heights. His varsity assistant is Aaron Bubonics.

The junior varsity coach is Jacari Parks, and the middle school coach is Joe Mihalek.

"Last year, we had seven girls try out for the middle school team," said Covelli. "This year, we had 40, and we also have a strong sixth grade program."

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