Division II - Top Teams

[Coach Mo]

Let's start the discussion on the top teams in Division II.

[std]

Baylor to repeat.

[anais316]

Baylor to repeat.

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I agree, Baylor will win their 3rd straight title.......

[Coach Mo]

Don't overlook GPS. They've got some pitching now.

[softballfan100]

GPS not only has pitching but also has catching this year... and for the next 4. A weak spot for them over the last couple of years. There are 5 of the 16u Austin Eagles starting on the GPS team. Kaitlyn Holloway and Adrianne Lamberson are pitchers for the Bruisers, both very talented. Emily Boydston, one of the pitchers from last year, quit softball to concentrate on volleyball. Holloway and Lamberson are a good match with different styles and speeds. Lillian Hammond, a senior this year, is also a very strong player for GPS.

 

Don't overlook the talent on this team. Baylor will still be strong, but don't count GPS out.

[anais316]

who are the Austin Eagles?? Heard of Katie but never heard of Adrianne, Good luck to GPS..

[Coach Mo]

Austin Eagles are one of the top 16 & Under "A" teams in the state.

[coachkirk]

Why in the world wouldnt Baylor repeat? They are obviously a great team and dont forget all four of the seniors have signed with colleges. Anne Lawrence (you know, the really loud 2nd baseman) will be at Birmingham Southern next year. Mary Catherine Vercoe and that short catcher will be at ETSU. and Lara Newberry (who clearly could have signed to play D 1 in college softball) will be at UTC playing volleyball next year because she is just that good. GPS will be no competition as usual.

[brother]

Holloway and Lamberson will make GPS a much improved team this year (if Holloway stays healthy, poor kid), but I'm not too sure they are good enough to overcome Baylor. Baylor has a very solid line-up and really strong pitching in Vercoe and Schmissrauter.

 

By the way, Lillian Hammond is much more than just a "strong" player. She's the kind of kid and player than can put a team on her back. Arguably, one of the top 5 players in the area and state.

 

Another "by the way". To call the Austin Eagles one of the best 16U teams in the STATE, is another understatement. Eagles no. 1 and no. 2 pitchers were hurt last summer, but the summer before that when the entire team was 13 and healthy they finished 5th at ASA Nationals. With healthy pitching they would have made a run for a 14U ASA national championship.

[softballfan100]

Why in the world wouldnt Baylor repeat? They are obviously a great team and dont forget all four of the seniors have signed with colleges. Anne Lawrence (you know, the really loud 2nd baseman) will be at Birmingham Southern next year.  Mary Catherine Vercoe and that short catcher will be at ETSU. and Lara Newberry (who clearly could have signed to play D 1 in college softball) will be at UTC playing volleyball next year because she is just that good. GPS will be no competition as usual.

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Hammond, GPS, will be at UTK next year. GPS has only 2 seniors. The strongest core of the girls on the GPS team have two or three years left, the freshman and sophomore classes. Holloway had surgery last year on a foot that gave her trouble for the past couple of years. Because of her surgery, she was out all season. She is healthy and ready to go. Lamberson was out as well last year at Ooltewah due to illness. Both are eager to return to the mound. (And, both pitch "legally" without taking a step back off the rubber.)

 

As far the Eagles are concerned, with Holloway, Thompson and the LFO kid, Flores, they will be very strong this summer. Thompson was also out with knee surgery last year. And, not to forget the speed and the defense they have, which includes 4 other players from GPS.

 

It could go either way between GPS and Baylor. Both are strong teams and both have good coaching and both should make it to state. Best of luck to both teams.

 

Underdogs always have the advantage.... winning isn't expected like it is with the favored team that has the pressure to continue to win.

[iheartsoftball]

Holloway and Lamberson will make GPS a much improved team this year (if Holloway stays healthy, poor kid), but I'm not too sure they are good enough to overcome Baylor. Baylor has a very solid line-up and really strong pitching in Vercoe and Schmissrauter.

 

By the way, Lillian Hammond is much more than just a "strong" player.  She's the kind of kid and player than can put a team on her back.  Arguably, one of the top 5 players in the area and state.

 

Another "by the way".  To call the Austin Eagles one of the best 16U teams in the STATE, is another understatement. Eagles no. 1 and no. 2 pitchers were hurt last summer, but the summer before that when the entire team was 13 and healthy they finished 5th at ASA Nationals.  With healthy pitching they would have made a run for a 14U ASA national championship.

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Ok...well then why did the other 14u eagles come in second in the asa state and they didnt?

Edited March 6, 2005 by iheartsoftball

[softballfan100]

Ok...well then why did the other 14u eagles come in second in the asa state and they didnt?

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If I remember correctly, because they won the first two tournaments, the Viper in Birmingham, with Holloway, and then won the ASA National Qualifier in Chattanooga that qualified them to go to the Nationals. They didn't win the 14u State because they didn't play in it. The older Eagle team then moved up to 16u and played against us and other 16u teams in NSA the rest of the season to prepare for the Nationals. I think they also played in the 18u division in USSSA a couple of tournaments. No reason to stay down and beat up on the younger Eagle team.

 

No matter though. This is about school ball. Just needed to clarify.