Softball Coming Up

O'HARA SOFTBALL TEAM IS LOOKING FORWARD TO CONFERENCE AND STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Last year the softball team from Archbishop O'Hara High School took second place in the West Central Conference but won the District and Regional tournament and went to the Super 8…one game away from the State Playoffs. On the team were returning letterwomen Lindsey Davis, Patrice Jackson, Chelsea Buseck, Caitlin Croker, Ashley Clark, Brittany Gallatin, Jesse Smith, and Melissa Batiz. According to Head Coach George Peter, good prospects for this year include senior Paulina Pengelley, sophomores Alex Paulakovich and Allison Seck, and freshmen Kelly Bachkora and Andi Davis Coach Peter commented, "Our schedule is pretty much the same as last year. We open with the Raytown South Tournament. However we lost three good quality seniors but some of the younger ladies are stepping up to take their place." " We relied heavily last year on rotating pitchers Brittany Gallatin and Melissa Batiz. We received bad news recently when we learned that Melissa Batiz will be out for the entire season because of an arm problem. The coaches will be trying to see if there are other players who can help relieve some of the pitching burden that will fall on Gallatin. Hopefully Lindsey Davis who pitched her freshman year can step in to help." "The Conference is always tough. The team hasn’t seen the District assignments yet, but if last year is any indication, we will once again have to be at our best to compete and move on." “Each year brings on new surprises, so I hate to make predictions," Coach Peter was quick to add. "Deep down, I think we are solid across the board. However, last year in baseball, I lost my ace pitcher early in the season, yet we did fairly well. And now we lose one of our ace softball pitchers, so I will have to be a little concerned ….but I am still optimistic." Coach George Peter will be entering his ninth season as the Celtics coach. Laura Eagle and Chadd Peter will be back again this year, and Ashlee Boursheski will begin working with the pitching corps.