Freshmen look to boost Springdale softball win total

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, March 20, 2018 | 4:54 PM

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Springdale softball coach Anthony Pototo handed his players team calendars at the start of the preseason.

It's just four sheets of paper stapled together with the months listed on each page. The calendar lists the opponents and game times for the season. But flip to the back page, and something stands out.

“When I put up my calendar of who our opponents are and who we play in section and out of section all the way to May 9, and after that I put playoffs,” said Pototo, who is in his third season as the Dynamos coach. “If we play hard, anything's possible.”

That's pretty heady stuff for a team that hasn't reached the postseason in more than 15 years. But power of positivity and the message to keep moving forward has the Dynamos eager to get the season started. Now, if only the weather would cooperate.

“Anything can happen,” Pototo said. “To be a part of that and make the playoffs is something to be proud of when we get there.”

Springdale finished at the bottom of the Section 2-2A standings last season at 1-10 overall and 1-9 in section play. The Dynamos managed a 10-8 home win over section rival Northgate to avoid going winless.

Springdale will teeter between 11 and 12 players this season. The team is made up of both old and young players, with very few in between.

With only three returning starters, there's been nearly a complete overhaul of the roster, which lists five seniors, one junior and two sophomores. The Dynamos also feature a large group of promising freshmen.

Freshmen Megan Carson, Lacey Vargo, Natalie Woitas and Dayna Zezza all arrive having played plenty of travel and youth softball but have zero innings at the varsity level.

“That's the one thing that I'm emphasizing to the girls is that everybody has the opportunity to play, contribute and might be put in a position that may not be entirely comfortable in,” Pototo said.

Pototo expects to play Vargo at first base, in the outfield or catching. He said she carries a decent bat to the plate and could hit in the middle of the lineup. Woitas and Zezza could fill holes at second or third base, but neither has earned a spot yet. Woitas could even see some time in the pitching circle in relief of senior ace Faith Lepovsky.

Carson has no experience, but Pototo said he's been impressed with her athleticism and can't wait for her to pick up a bat against live pitching.

“Carson's a work in progress, and my assistants and I work with her daily in practice,” Pototo said. “Her (bat), it's coming. She's a little bit faster than I expected. Getting her some live pitching will be very beneficial for her.”

Seniors Erica Davis, Makenna Fink, Sunnie Palombi and Lepovsky are going to need to nurture Springdale's young talent to have a chance this season. Davis will play first base and bat in the middle of the lineup, with Fink at catcher/outfield and Lepovsky in the circle or second base. Pototo touted Lepovsky's pitching accuracy and ability to hit her spots. Palombi is in her second season with the team and has a chance at earning one of the many spots up for grabs.

“I try to instill leadership in the younger players and look for leadership in my older players who will try and pass that down, as well,” Pototo said.

Junior Kaitlyn Thompson will start in the outfield.

The Dynamos have potential in sophomores Anna Harmon and Emily Mattarochia. Both players are in their first year with the team but played through the youth softball ranks. Pototo sees the speedy Harmon in the outfield and Mattarochia as an infielder.

“With our team, we don't have a lot of numbers,” Pototo said. “It's loaded with seniors and freshmen and a junior and a few sophomores. They want to win.”

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Springdale