Not many spring sports teams in the area have had the luxury of practicing outside a great deal this season.

Thursday, March 28, 2002

Not many spring sports teams in the area have had the luxury of practicing outside a great deal this season. But the Riverland Community College softball team not only enjoyed the outdoors for a week, they did it in Orlando, Fla.

The Lady Blue Devils began their 2002 campaign with four sets of doubleheaders March 15-23 at the Disney Spring Training Tournament. Riverland played games against Schenectady, N.Y., Henry Ford College, College of Lake County, and defending Division III National Champion – College of DuPage.

"All in all, with nine freshman it was just nice to get outside and play," said Riverland head coach Lisa Quednow-Bickler. "We had some kids playing places they hadn’t played before."

Results of those eight games can not officially be reported, according to Coach Quednow-Bickler, because of possible NCAA rules infractions. That can’t stop the coach from feeling good about the upcoming season despite returning only three sophomores to the program this year.

"Having three All-Conference sophomores back really does help us quite a bit, especially with the experience factor."

Riverland begins the regular season today at Mason City in a non-conference doubleheader with North Iowa Area Community College. Games are slated to begin at 3:30 and 5 p.m.

Three key

Missy Avery, an All-Minnesota Community College Conference and All-Region XII third baseman, is one of three veteran Blue Devils back in the dugout this season. Avery will make the move to shortstop this year because of her versatility and a need for her at the position.

Sherry (Chessmore) Hanson, Riverland’s primary pitcher of record and All-Conference honoree last year, helped hurl the Blue Devils into a share of the MCCC crown last year. Hanson picked up the final decision in all but two games for Riverland last season.

Tammy May is the returning All-MCCC first baseman for the Blue Devils. She was among the top hitters on the team last season and should again be one of the bigger bats in the Blue Devil lineup. May will see time batting leadoff again this year.

"They’re coming back as co-conference champs, and I think our sophomores really want to win it again and probably have a little more success in the region," Coach Quednow-Bickler said.

Riverland shared last year’s title with Bethany Lutheran, who will again be one of the top contenders in the league. Central Lakes and Rochester Community and Technical College should also compete.

Area athletes

Filling vacant positions in the Riverland lineup will be a number of Austin-area athletes. Jenna Cummins and Jessica Peck both begin their careers behind the plate, with Cummins also seeing time in the outfield. Peck graduated from Austin High last year, and will share time defending the dish with Cummins. Cummins is a full-time post-secondary student, which gives her the option of playing for either Riverland or Austin High. She will see time in the outfield when she is not catching.

The acquisition of Lyle/Pacelli third baseman Erin Evans helped Avery’s move to shortstop. Evans is a solid defender at the hot corner and will be one of the bigger bats in Riverland’s order.

Melanie Gabrielson, an Austin grad, will roam center field as the leader of the outfield. L/P graduate Nicole Emiliusen will split time in right field with Katie Berg, a freshman from Hayfield. Berg will move over to left field when Cummins is behind the plate.

"It’s nice to have Austin kids, that helps your program," Coach Quednow-Bickler said. "The more local kids you have, the better off you’re going to be."

Pitching pair

Hanson will also have the opportunity to share her time in the circle, giving way to freshman Marisa Kelsey from Madelia-Truman. Kelsey and Hanson split innings in their trip to Orlando, and will likely divide time throughout the regular season. Every game on Riverland’s schedule is a doubleheader.

"It’ll be a little different role for Sherry to have another pitcher," Coach Quednow-Bickler said. "I don’t think she’ll mind, this way she’ll be able to throw hard all the time and not worry about getting tired.

"Our pitching really needs to push us forward."

Beth Harsma, a freshman from Owatonna, has the early nod to start at second base, and Stephanie Vollbrecht, a three-sport athlete from Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, will be a key utility player for the Devils as well.

"If we play the way we did down there (Orlando) every game, we’ll be in the running for the conference again," Coach Quednow-Bickler said.

Call Ross Thede at 434-2234 or e-mail him at sports@austindailyherald.com.