Scrimmages starting up this weekend. Looking forward to the season. Not a lot of softball talk here, so hopefully there's someone else out there who takes an interest. My preseason Top 10....
1. Smyrna - returning state champs lost their top pitcher but were 3 deep there last year so should be fine in the circle. Offense is stout.
2. Appoquinimink - returning state runner-up. All 3 pitchers return and most of the offense is in tact. A lot of depth on this team and only lost 2 starters. A lot of depth on this team, so they shouldn't miss a beat.
3. DMA - Has three pitchers who could pretty much start for any team in the state. Problem is, only one can throw at a time. Didn't lose a lot, and a young offense from last season is another year older, so they'll be in the hunt for a title.
4. Caravel - Entire infield is back, including pitching. Need to fill out the outfield, but another program with a lot of depth. Offense is very good.
5. Sussex Tech - Good pitching and solid defense returns from last season. Offense was good, but got shut down in states last year. Looking to improve when that time comes again.
6. Indian River - Good team last season with an offense that was hit or miss. They didn't appear to get many reinforcements this year, so they're looking for a solid returning core to get more consistent.
7. St. George's - Started out slow last season, but found their groove after a 2-4 start. Good offensive team with solid pitching. They struggled a bit against top competition outside of their conference. Did beat Appo though, so always a threat.
8. Mount Pleasant - Really good pitching and a good enough offense. They don't play the toughest schedule, but 1 run losses to Appo and DMA, and 2 run loss to St G's last season shows this team can play with anyone.
9. Polytech - Made the tournament last season and only lost one player (not a pitcher). So pitching, defense, and offense should all be one year better. Looking to improve on last year's seeding.
10. Padua - Another team that didn't lose much (2 players) and made the tournament last season. Struggled against the top competition in the state for the most part (did only lose to DMA by 1 run). Put up double digit runs 9 times last season, so they'll be looking to spread that offense out a little more.
1. Smyrna - returning state champs lost their top pitcher but were 3 deep there last year so should be fine in the circle. Offense is stout.
2. Appoquinimink - returning state runner-up. All 3 pitchers return and most of the offense is in tact. A lot of depth on this team and only lost 2 starters. A lot of depth on this team, so they shouldn't miss a beat.
3. DMA - Has three pitchers who could pretty much start for any team in the state. Problem is, only one can throw at a time. Didn't lose a lot, and a young offense from last season is another year older, so they'll be in the hunt for a title.
4. Caravel - Entire infield is back, including pitching. Need to fill out the outfield, but another program with a lot of depth. Offense is very good.
5. Sussex Tech - Good pitching and solid defense returns from last season. Offense was good, but got shut down in states last year. Looking to improve when that time comes again.
6. Indian River - Good team last season with an offense that was hit or miss. They didn't appear to get many reinforcements this year, so they're looking for a solid returning core to get more consistent.
7. St. George's - Started out slow last season, but found their groove after a 2-4 start. Good offensive team with solid pitching. They struggled a bit against top competition outside of their conference. Did beat Appo though, so always a threat.
8. Mount Pleasant - Really good pitching and a good enough offense. They don't play the toughest schedule, but 1 run losses to Appo and DMA, and 2 run loss to St G's last season shows this team can play with anyone.
9. Polytech - Made the tournament last season and only lost one player (not a pitcher). So pitching, defense, and offense should all be one year better. Looking to improve on last year's seeding.
10. Padua - Another team that didn't lose much (2 players) and made the tournament last season. Struggled against the top competition in the state for the most part (did only lose to DMA by 1 run). Put up double digit runs 9 times last season, so they'll be looking to spread that offense out a little more.