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Whittier Softball Preview

2007 record: 6-14, didn't make state tourney

Returning starters (5): Tiffany Mannion, Soph., 3B; April Richardson, Soph., C;  Kristina Terry, Soph., 1B; Emily Pomer, Soph., LF/P; Kendra Hobbs, Jr., 2B

Returning lettermen: Danielle Ryan, Jr., C; Michelle Dube, Soph., RF

Newcomers: Kaisha Rodriguez, Frosh., P; Danielle Martin, Frosh., OF; Samantha Dietrich, Jr., CF; Haley Kamberalis, Sr., INF

Candidates in all grades: 56

Captains: Tiffany Mannion, Kendra Hobbs, April Richardson

Returning leaders: Emily Pomer .443; Kendra Hobbs .374

Assistants: Jody Sullivan; Deborah Mouser, JV; Paul Bonaforo, Frosh.

Opener: April 10 at Minuteman

Odds and ends: Katie Campbell transferred to Haverhill High and three other potential returnees did not come out for the team. ... Captain and starting third baseman Tiffany Mannion has a shoulder injury and is out for six weeks. The sophomore tri-captain's status for the year is up in the air. ... Freshman Kaisha Rodriguez, who has no experience on the mound, will be the No. 1 pitcher. ... Freshman Danielle Martin was a CAC Division 1 All-Star in basketball. ... Whittier didn't make the tournament for the third straight year in 2007 after making six postseason appearances in a row. ... Jody Sullivan, the head field hockey coach at Haverhill High, joins the staff as a volunteer assistant.

Coach Cheryl Begin (3rd year, 12-28): "We're looking to get into States and I think we can do it. We have a lot of sophomores who have a year's experience and our pitching should be much better. We averaged giving up 10-13 walks a game last year and you just can't win that way. We only had one walk in our first scrimmage. We didn't hit too badly (.310 team average) last year and I think we'll hit better this year."