Softball preview: Indians, others eye repeat trip to regionals

By JARED MACARIN jaredm@nwfdailynews.com Choctawhatchee?s softball team was the surprise of the spring in 2007 as the Indians made a surprising run to the Class 5A regional finals. In the process, Choctaw knocked off nationally ranked Niceville in the district tournament and then took down state-ranked Tallahassee Lincoln and Ocala Forest. One year later, and with a handful of players returning, the expectations are high for Choctaw and new coach Billy Rice. ?The girls want to build off last year and pick up where they left off,? Rice said. ?They want to get better everyday in practice, and that is exciting to be around.? Leading the way for the Indians will be senior pitcher Chantel Dodge and junior catcher Hannah Renn. Dodge was nearly unhittable in the final month of the season, while Renn was Choctaw?s top threat at the plate throughout the season. In addition to Dodge, Rice said he is heavily counting on seniors Ashely Leonard, Aubrey Claxton and Stefanie Donaldson to provide leadership and strong play. ?It?s a solid group of seniors that played a big role last year, and hopefully they will lead us back to where we were last year, at least,? he said. But the Indians will not be the only team in the area looking for repeat success. Navarre (Class 4A) and Baker (Class 2A) also reached the regional finals in their classifications, and both ? like Choctaw ? return a healthy core of players with their eyes on deep postseason runs. The Raiders will lean heavily on senior shortstop Danielle Kildow, who is signed with Stetson. Navarre also has five other players with at least two years of starting experience in Lauris Joyner?s second year at the helm. For the Gators, the senior trio of Chelsea Combest, Whitney Boutwell and Sydney Boutwell returns to lead John Carlisle?s group. All three played instrumental roles in the Gators? late run after they entered the district tournament as the No. 2 seed. Aside from the above mentioned clubs, Walton and Laurel Hill are also hoping for another trip to regional competition. The Hoboes advanced to the Class A regional semifinals before bowing out, while the Braves made it to the regional quarterfinals before seeing their season end. Junior Devin Richardson is back for the Braves, and will be aided by the return of seniors Faith Kennemur, Summer Renfro and Jewel Spence and sophomore Layla Roberts. A quick glance at all the area teams: Choctawhatchee Coach: Billy Rice 2007 record: 16-13; advanced to regional finals District: 1-5A District opponents: Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, Niceville, Pace, Tate, Escambia, Pine Forest Returning athletes: Chantel Dodge, Stefanie Donaldson, Aubrey Claxton, Ashley Leonard, Miranda Michael, Hannah Renn Others to watch: Brooke Byler, Nikki Blake, Shannon Scott, Michelle Taylor Athletes lost: Brittney Cahoon, Emily Hirschman, Stephanie Lenyo, Haley Renn, Rachelle Maddox Niceville Coach: Danny Hensley 2007 record: 24-2 District: 1-5A District opponents: Crestview, Choctawhatchee, Fort Walton Beach, Pace, Tate, Escambia, Pine Forest Returning athletes: Ellen McNair, Marisa Wendt, Taylor Tiahrt, Hannah Thummel, Kelly Hensley Others to watch: Meagan Balding, Missy Milligan, Karen Starnes, Katie Jones, Amber Henderson Athletes lost: Lindsey Hansen, Allison Collins, Lana Vaughn, Sara Hinesley Crestview Coach: Bruce Hubbs 2007 record: 18-7 District: 1-5A District opponents: Niceville, Choctawhatchee, Fort Walton Beach, Pace, Tate, Escambia, Pine Forest Returning athletes: Autumn Norris, Kelly Balcerak, Jessica Long, Shasta Tew, Brianna Currie, Brittany McKnight, Amy Katzman, Katelyn Trimmer, Courtney Luke, Rene Copeland, Kayla Huilon, Lauren Estep, Heather Kelly Others to watch: Morgan Goshorn, Brittany Kelch Athletes lost: Kelly Jernigan, Tiffany Star, Tera Gainer, Megan Eson, Jessica Ernst Fort Walton Beach Coach: Andrea Gore 2007 record: 15-10 District: 1-5A District opponents: Niceville, Choctawhatchee, Crestview, Pace, Tate, Escambia, Pine Forest Returning athletes: Mollie Maddox, Jessica Erickson, Jessica Whidden, Andrea Sybert Others to watch: Octavia Tinner, Briana DeGenarro, Lauren Correia Navarre Coach: Lauris Joyner 2007 record: 19-11; advanced to regional finals District: 1-4A District opponents: Gulf Breeze, Milton, Washington, Pensacola, West Florida Returning athletes: Stevie Decker, Danielle Kildow, Haley Curle, Jessica Stapleton, Amanda Gustafson, Brittany Naker, Katelyn Stone Others to watch: Bri Risner Athletes lost: Sam Streacker, Jessica Apodaca Walton Coach: Stan Bosenberg 2007 record: 14-10; advanced to regional quarterfinals District: 1-3A District opponents: South Walton, Northview, Pensacola Catholic Returning athletes: Summer Renfro, Faith Kennemur, Jewel Spence, Devin Richardson, Layla Roberts Others to watch: Shannon Bell, Emily Coutcher South Walton Coach: Phil Tisa 2007 record: 14-7 District: 1-3A District opponents: Walton, Northview, Pensacola Catholic Returning athletes: Kathryn Kenner, Brooke Cannon, Cassie Maier, Chelsea Whitfield, Brittany Jay, Caroline Peterson, Chelsea Infinger, Shelby Watson Others to watch: Casey Ogdon Athletes lost: Julia Edwards, Rachel Mullins Baker Coach: John Carlisle 2007 record: 16-12; advanced to regional finals District: 1-2A District opponents: Freeport, Jay, Vernon, Ponce de Leon Returning athletes: Whitney Boutwell, Sydney Boutwell, Chelsea Combest, Allyson McCranie, Ariel Adkinson, carrie Dunning, Jessica Gilmore, Lauren Griffith, Brittney Kilpatrick Others to watch: Kaylee Bradley, Miranda Godwin, carly Barton, Kaitlyn Giles, Mollie Royal, Paige Cotton, Dani Mayhair Athletes lost: Candice Williamson, Lindsey Marelli Freeport Coach: Charles Trotman 2007 record: 10-14 District: 1-2A District opponents: Baker, Jay, Vernon, Ponce de Leon Returning athletes: Nicole Dykes, Lora King, Curstin Buford, Joslyn King, Jordan Howell, Isabelle Lara Others to watch: Amber Mount, Jesse Moulton, Dannica Mosher, Amanda Bates Athletes lost: Stephanie Tanney, Natasha Eads, Danielle Frost, Charlotte Adkinson, Seanna Houser Paxton Coach: Laurie Gilbert 2007 record: District: 1-A District opponents: Rocky Bayou Christian, Laurel Hill, Central, East Hill Returning athletes: Emmalee Infinger, Maryllyn Gilbert, Stevie Davidson, Emily Smith, Lillie Dixon, Lindsey Norman, Shala Cuchens, Olivia Hamilton, Chantel McCormick Others to watch: Taylor McClellan, Kristyn Geiselman, Kappi Stewart Athletes lost: Alena Martin, Brandi Helms Rocky Bayou Christian Coach: Lynn Holcomb 2007 record: 5-9 District: 1-A District opponents: Paxton, Laurel Hill, Central, East Hill Returning athletes: Allison Johnson, Allison vande Voorde, Brittany Tiller, Haley Johnson, Christin Kaim Others to watch: Emily Wilson Athletes lost: Kayla Spurgeon NOTE: Laurel Hill did not return its preseason questionnaire.