2010 SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW: Lady Falcons look strong again

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Despite the loss of three key players-including all-state pitcher Jenna Ccchran to graduation-there's again plenty of optimism surrounding Elverado High School girls softball.

Veteran Lady Falcons coach Donette Wheatley (4th year, 42-34) returns eight letter winners from last year's Class 1A Sweet 16 squad. Elverado lost in the sectional finals to eventual state champion Cobden.

She also welcomes a strong crop of freshmen to an already deep and talented roster.

The Lady Falcons open the season at Benton Saturday.

"We are still going to be a very solid team this season," Wheatley said. "Our freshmen are going to have to fill some big shoes. Still, we are very capable of going as far as we did last year."

Wheatley builds this year's squad around three-year All-Black Diamond performer Kelsey Tuthill, who will see time on the infield, outfield and in the pitching circle.

Senior classmates Courtney Morse (OF) and Rachel Hunziker (3B) are also back. Juniors Kelsi Teague (P) , Chelsea Cochran, Sami Hicks (SS) and Ashley McKinney and sophomore Lacey Qualls complete the list of returnees.

Teague moves into the role of staff pitching ace, but is still recovering from a late season basketball injury.

Corrine Wilson (P-1B), C-OF Meghan Trammel, IF-C Erika Will, Abby Grammer (2B) and Rebecca Koradon (OF) are freshmen knocking on the door for varsuty times. Sophomore Kaylee Gresham rounds out the squad.

"If the girls work hard at practice we could have a very successful season," Wheatley predicts. "As always we will take one game at a time and do the very best we can."

Cochran (John A. Logan) and catcher Katie Watts (Rend Lake) are now playing at the collegiate level. Mallory Winthrop -a three-year starter at first base-also must be replaced this season.