Softball team ready for the next step

by Eric Keppeler
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, April 28, 2007

Justalene Olson just wants to see her team get better.

And with that in mind, the fourth-year head coach of the Lew-Port varsity softball team has two very important factors working in her favor. First, almost the entire team returns from last season, a year older and a year wiser. Second, after going 1-13 and tying Grand Island for last in the Niagara Frontier League, there’s room for improvement.

Despite the tough 2006 season, Olson thinks her team is now in a position to reap the benefits from that campaign.

“It’s a tremendous experience,” she said. “These girls have been together for three years now in my program, and you can see that they gel much better. And it shows on the field, too.”

Olson went with a young team last year, and now basically the entire starting lineup returns. Captains Ashley Harbison and Katherine Petrozzi are in center and left field respectively, while senior Samantha Maj completes the outfield.

Sophomore Carly Knight returns at pitcher, while junior Michelle Salerno is a three-year starter who can play either first base or catcher. Second base belongs to one of the Nichols sisters, either senior Brittany or freshman Alexis. Cleanup hitter Jane Anne LePage is back at shortstop, and she also can play some catcher, and senior Stephanie Myers rounds out the infield at third base. Returning senior Carolyn Giannini is playing a lot of first base, with Salerno behind the plate.

“Our outfield is exactly the same as last year,” Olson said. “The infield is pretty much the same, and so is our pitcher. And now that they’re all a year older, I expect our batting lineup to be stronger than it was last year.”

Olson also has some good depth to help combat the unexpected. Senior Tabitha Dominguez can play either third base or short, while juniors Alyssa Florence and Adina Pera also play the corners. Juniors Carly McEvoy and Carly Nixon are outfielders.

The coach admits that it has been difficult at times to start from scratch, especially with her playing background. Olson starred for Kenmore West and won a sectional championship under coach Matt Chimera, now an NFL rival.

“It’s tough to lose,” Olson said. “I’m used to seeing the game played at a very high level, but I do enjoy the challenge of building my own program. I think I’ve got a pretty good model to follow.”

Olson says she’s seen great improvement in her team now as compared to three years ago. She’s realistic enough to know that they’re not ready to challenge for the league title yet, but she wants to see the Lancers take the next step towards that ultimate goal.

“I think we’re definitely better, but now I want it to show up in wins and losses,” Olson said. “We always put up a good fight and we’re in most of the game, and that’s great, but now I want to win a few games.”