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SOFTBALL: Revived Athens hoping to escape rival’s shadows

Dan Stickradt | May 12, 2012 | Comments (1)

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

Twitter: @LocalSportsFans

TROY— It’s hard enough not be all that successful on a consistent basis. Try living in the shadows of a highly-successful competitor who also happens to be your crosstown rival.

Such is life for Troy Athens’ softball program, which is enjoying quite a revival in 2012.

The Red Hawks have long since lived in the dark behind state power Troy, which has reached at least the state quarterfinals five straight years and seven times in 12 years. As for Athens, championships have been few and far between.

LEADERS OF THE SHOW: Troy Athens softball pitcher and senior shortstop Melissa Palmer are two key players for the Red Hawks, who are going after their first league title since 1976. File Photo | Dan Stickradt

Scarce might be a better word for it. The Red Hawks’ last district championship came back in 1997. As for a league championship, you would have to dig back through the archives to the Gerald Ford Administration and our country was celebrating its bicentennial to find Athens on top of a league. In other terms, it was 1976 and a long time ago when the Red Hawks won the old Metro Suburban Activities Association softball crown.

A total of 36 years ago.

“It was too long ago,” sighed veteran Athens coach Dave Marr. “We’ve had a lot of second places, both in the league and district. We’ve seen Troy win a lot of championships.”

The Red Hawks are trying to remedy that situation.

As of Thursday, Athens was a fine 16-4-1 and unbeaten and alone atop of the OAA White Division standings. Two more wins will clinch at least a tie for the league title and end the near-four-decades long drought, while three wins in the final four league contests will deliver the outright league title to the corner of John R and Long Lake roads.

“We’re off to a good start,” offered Marr, who team is on target to reach 30 wins for only the second time in 20 years. “This is potentially one of our better teams.”

Could it be the best?

Athens did not graduate a starter off last year’s team that finished in the neighborhood of five-hundred and in fifth place in the OAA White Division.

“We didn’t lose anybody and we’re a year older, more experienced,” added Marr. “We are solid all over the field, hitting the ball better and we have a solid No.1 pitcher.”

Sophomore Haley Zemmer is starting to mold into a fine pitcher and living up to high expectations coming out of middle school two years ago. She has kept the opposition to around one run a contest and is racking up strikeouts in droves.

“Haley is really coming into her own,” said Marr. “She’s a bit stronger and has just matured since last season. “Even in our losses, she’s pitched fine. We just gave up some unearned runs. But we’re still giving up 1-2 runs a game including unearned runs. Clarkston is the only team that has scored a bunch of runs off of us. Haley already has over 130 strikeouts and keeps us in about every game.”

Senior shortstop Melissa Palmer is a four-year starter and has signed with Western Michigan. The sure-handed fielder is also tearing the cover off the ball and is leading the Red Hawks in multiple offensive categories.

Junior Erica Siismets, who anchors the outfield from center field, has joined senior catcher Meg Richter, sophomore first basemen Lauren Genereau, junior second baseman Jackie Klein, sophomore third baseman Mary Grace Stark, sophomore leftfielder Amanda Mildfelt, sophomore right fielder Sarah Watson and senior DH Kayla Rothenberg as players that all started games last season and have contributed this season.

Sophomore outfielder Maddie Rizzo also saw innings last season, while sophomores Nancy Kast and Lauren Atwell lead the newcomers.

“We have a good talent on this team and everyone is doing their part,” said Marr.

“In 2005, we won 30 games and still didn’t win our league or get out of the districts,” recalled Marr. “I know that their goal this season. They really want to add 2012 to the banners on the gym wall. We’re long overdue.”

Athens recently finished fifth out of more than 40 schools at the prestigious Michigan Stars Tournament to add to its growing resume for the year.

While the league title is a likely addition this season, the Red Hawks still have to get over the postseason hump and have to get past Troy in the Division 1 state tournament. The Colts already own a 5-4 win over Athens in a non-league game played in early April, while the Colts are also having another solid season.

“To win our district, we’ll probably have to go through Troy,” noted Marr. “I know the girls felt bad about the last time we played them. We gave them a couple of runs. Come June, I’m sure we’ll be ready. We’re having a good season and having fun, which is important. Our goal right now is just the league.

“We’re pumped up about putting some banners on the wall and maybe doing some things in the state tournament,” added Marr. “As long as we don’t stub our toe, it’s a possibility.”

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