Owen J. Roberts 2016 Softball Preview

[dropcap]#3[/dropcap]Owen J. Roberts

Head Coach: Jen Beaver, first season.

Last year’s record: 15-3 PAC-10, 21-5 overall. (District 1-AAAA Champions).

Players to watch: Alissa Vining, Sr., P (.306 BA, 23 RBI, .402 OB, 7-0 record, 1.83 ERA; First Team All-Area); Camryn Glenn, Jr., SS (.362 BA, 23 RBI, .413 OB; All-Area Honorable Mention); Brianna Smith, Jr., C (.418 BA, .495 OB); Bridget Guinan, So., 3B (.176 BA, .282 OB).

Outlook: The list of departures is long. Pitcher Kylie Glenn? Gone. All-Area first teamer Sam Garritano? Gone as well. The same with Nikki Testa, Graceton Griffith, Sydney Schnarrs, Lauryn Wensel and Annaliese Long – all components of an OJR team that topped Perkiomen Valley in the District 1-AAAA championship a season ago. Longtime head coach Kevin Kirby stepped down from the head coach position and last year’s assistant and OJR graduate Beaver takes the helm. The good news? She has plenty to build around despite the mass exodus of graduated seniors. Vining returns after posting a 1.83 ERA while going 7-0 in the circle last season with Camryn Glenn returning at shortstop and Smith and Guinan solidifying which should be a very good infield. Outfield remains a question mark but don’t expect OJR to be in a rebuilding year, rather a retooling year. Wildcats should be in Final Four at years end. “We have a hardworking group of girls who are determined to succeed,” Beaver said. “Though we graduated a large senior class, there is a good mix of returners and young players who are eager to make a mark on the program.  We’re looking for strong leadership from our veteran players to help put us in a position to do well.”

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