Today's Sports

Throughout last year's run into the Regional playoffs, Jefferson Forest had a simple formula in the pitching department: rotate starts between Jared Millner and Matt Hawkins and close those games with Brian Goddard.

The Staunton River softball team is positioned to build upon the notable success that it achieved last season. However, the team is still in the "getting to know you" stage of the season, with five of the players just recently joining following post-season hoops play.

"Right now, we don't have a lot of clarity," said Head Coach Hoyt Dellis. "We've only had ballplayers for three practices and a scrimmage. Plus, the weather has been uncooperative."

Even with the lack of time to gauge the proficiency of his players, Staunton River should be in a pretty good state.

At the end of last season, Seminole District champion and Region runner-up Jefferson Forest only saw three of its players graduate. However, the departing trio consisted of shortstop Jo Jo Arthur, centerfielder Shonna Bryant and pitcher Holly Hargraves.

Arthur and Bryant were All-District first teamers (Bryant was District player of the year) and Hargraves pitched the vast majority of innings for Forest.

In addition to the graduates, the team saw the loss of four other players from last year's team that will not play this season, due to a variety of reasons.

Got pitching?

An absence of arms looks to be the big stinkin' rhino in the living room for the Liberty baseball squad. Having lost ace starters DJ Turpin and Matt Morgan as well as spot starter set/up man Derek Johnson to graduation, the Minutemen find themselves with a serious pitching shortage.

While Head Coach Stewart Grant hasn't taken to posting want ads to fill his staff, he might want to consider that tact. "I'm desperate for pitching," said Grant. "I've seen a lot of kids that want to throw. I don't know how many can pitch, though."