A good year, but not a great one by Lady Trojan softball standards

June 14, 2006

By JOHN JACKSON
ARGUS-COURIER SPORTS EDITOR

The record was good, the on-diamond performance was good, yet there was a feeling of unfulfilled destiny for the Petaluma High School softball team.

The Lady Trojans, playing whenever and wherever they could find a dry surface, compiled a 12-5 record, going 7-3 in Sonoma County League play. They tied rival Casa Grande for second place in the Sonoma County League and beat the Lady Gauchos twice in extra innings during the regular season before losing to Casa in the first round of the NCS playoffs.

Still, it seemed to be something of an off-season for the Petalumans, who were coming off a stretch of three straight NCS final game appearances, with two wins in the process.

It was also something of a season of transition, beginning in early April when Ali Klemenok, with the consent of coach Kurt Jastrow, switched from pitching to playing shortstop full time.

The transition put junior Sarah Marcia in the circle and in the limelight, and she responded big time, losing just twice the rest of the season, once to Analy in the game that decided the SCL title and once to Casa Grande in the playoffs.

Overall, she proved extremely effective for the Lady Trojans, who backed her with outstanding defense and one of the Redwood Empire's top hitting attacks.

"It was a good season," said Jastrow. "It wasn't a great season, but it was a good season."

One of the things the coach is most proud of is that Petaluma was the top scholastic team in the Redwood Empire and has a banner to prove the Lady Trojans' academic superiority. "It is not a bad thing to be No. 1 in," said Jastrow. "We've always stressed academics and being good in the classroom."

On the field there was also a constellation of bright points.

Perhaps the brightest was Cassie Pitkin, who led by both example and inspiration. The junior batted over .350 and, according to Jastrow, was "the best defensive player in the area." She was also one of the toughest, playing the NCS playoff game against Casa Grande with a broken finger.

First baseman Amanda Sharp became the hitter Jastrow had predicted she would be at the start of the season, batting better than .440, while playing strong defense at first base. In addition, she brought a smile to every game. "She is the nicest person you could ever want to meet," said the coach.

Center fielder Shannon Kehr was one of the best glove outfielders in the Redwood Empire. Blessed with both speed and power, Kehr was an ideal lead-off hitter. "She has the potential to go on to the next level," said Jastrow.

After becoming strictly a shortstop, Klemenok continued to contribute big time, with clutch hits and some spectacular defensive plays. She will continue her softball career at Portland State next season.

Pitkin, Sharp, Kehr and Klemenok were all-league selections by the SCL coaches.

But there were other contributors, as every player helped at one time or another.

Elyse Morris started the season at shortstop and made a smooth transition to second base when Klemenok became a full-time position player. She was an exceptional fielder on either side of the bag and contributed some big hits.

Courtney Millard answered a big pre-season question by becoming an outstanding catcher and a .370 hitter with power.

The Petaluma outfield, anchored by Kehr in center field, was outstanding defensively with Alex Baddeley in left and Alica Dunaway in right. By the end of the season, Baddeley was delivering as one of the Lady Trojans' top hitters.

Jonel Heliodis became the Petaluma ball finder. Playing late innings in crucial games, she seemed always to be in the right spot to make a key catch, get a key hit or put down a key bunt.

Erica Dolcini also made some important plays in the outfield for Petaluma. Haley Coate provided important support as the back-up catcher.

"They are good kids," said Jastrow. "We lost three games by one run. With the exception of the last Analy game we were in every game, and they'll all be back except Ali."