SOFTBALL PREVIEW: Newcomers revitalize Pride roster

Lauren Irwin has got to feel old.

Sure, she’s only a high school senior, but still, she’s constantly surrounded by more than 20 freshmen and sophomores.

As only one of four upperclassmen on the Mountain Pointe softball team, Irwin will have to provide plenty of leadership should the Pride hope to avoid a second-straight early exit from the state tournament in 2008.

“There’s a lot of youth, but the whole sophomore class came up together and they’ve always played together,” Irwin said. “I think it’s going to be good. They’re going to keep going with the program, too.”

Added head coach Mel Wendell: “We have enough talent to do well and to go deep into state, but the youth, not having the experience, can hold us back a little bit.”

Which is why Wendell will be looking not only to Irwin, her center fielder, but also to junior pitcher/shortstop Danielle Muniz to lead the pack in 2008.

“It’s different,” Muniz said of all the youth. “Last year, we had a bunch of older girls. I think when we leave, these young group of ladies can carry the team on.”

Muniz, perhaps the most vocal of the Pride this year, will be MP’s ace in the circle and is also a slick fielder at short. She injured her non-throwing arm in March last year, forcing Muniz to miss much of the season.

“With her stats that she started off with, she would’ve really helped us out last year,” Wendell said. “We’re looking forward to having her strong and back ready for us.”

Among the newcomers is Kendra Hopkins, who moved up from jayvee and is expected to be, as Wendell puts it, “our speed this year at the plate and obviously on the bases.”

Four freshmen grace the Pride roster, including Ashley Cruz, who will take Muniz’s spot at shortstop when she’s in the circle.

“That was our biggest hole,” Wendell said.

Melissa Lopez, another freshman, will also help fill out the pitching staff and backup the left side of the infield.

The newcomers should help to provide depth against a tough Central Region that includes Chandler Basha, Tempe Corona del Sol - two playoff teams from a year ago - and rival Desert Vista.

Basha could be the toughest test behind the arm of Samantha Parlich, who went 16-7 last year with a 1.19 ERA.

“We haven’t found a way to hit her yet, and we’re working on that this year,” Wendell said. “If we can hit her, we can definitely be right up there with Basha.”

But above all, the newcomers should help avoid another early exit like last season when MP, the No. 13 seed, dropped its first two games in the state tournament and was eliminated.

“It was really hard to just be done really quick,” Muniz said.

“It was tough,” Irwin added. “We had a great team. We had so much talent and everything. But we’re looking for a better season this year and to go a little bit further.”