New Brandon varsity softball coach Carl Gabrielson and the Blackhawks are preparing for what Gabrielson said could be a ‘magical season.?
Gabrielson comes to the Blackhawk program from Flint Powers, where he coached from 1999-2003 and won district championships in 1999 and 2002.
The Blackhawks are coming off a 2004 season in which they finished second in the Flint Metro League to Lapeer West, and advanced to the regional semifinals. Brandon finished with a 25-15 overall record and an 8-4 record in league play.
Gabrielson said West should once again be the team to beat in the league, with Fenton possibly mounting a challenge to the crown as well. However, he expects Brandon to be right in the thick of things.
‘Lapeer West’s roster is deep with starting pitching,? he said. ‘Brad Walker (Lapeer West’s coach) has one of his strongest teams. If Fenton’s pitching comes around, they could challenge for the title.?
However, Gabrielson said the Blackhawks? experience will be a valuable asset during the season.
‘Our biggest strength is our leadership,? he said. ‘Ten of our 11 players are returning lettermen. All of our players can play more than one position, which gives us great depth.?
He said several players will play key roles for the Blackhawks this season:
‘Meridith Dura: She is a senior captain and starting center fielder, in her fourth year on the varsity, who hit .365 for the Blackhawks last year. She earned honorable mention all-state honors, as well as all-county and all-Metro honors. ‘She is a leader on and off the field,? Gabrielson said.
‘Jill Perry: She is a junior pitcher who compiled a 21-12 record last year en route to being named all-state, all-county, and all-league. Gabrielson said she is ‘one of the best pitchers in the state.?
‘Katie Flood: She is a senior captain and starting catcher who hit .300 for Brandon last year. She made the honorable mention all-league team. ‘She is the captain on the field, calling all the plays,? Gabrielson said.
‘Jessica Liebner: She is a junior shortstop who is returning for her third year on the varsity. She made honorable mention all-league last year, and Gabrielson said she ‘gives us strength up the middle.?
‘Annemarie Solley: The junior will be making the transition from outfield to second base. She made honorable mention all-league last year. ‘She has great speed and covers the right side from bag to bag,? Gabrielson said.
‘Lauren Ross: The sophomore will be starting at third base. She earned honorable mention all-league honors in her freshman year. ‘She covers the hot spot, closing down the bunt and fielding with range,? Gabrielson said.
‘Chelsea Wengren: The sophomore first baseman earned second team all-league honors in her freshman year. ‘She has a strong bat and a great glove,? Gabrielson said.
Gabrielson said the Blackhawks will receive a boost this year as senior pitcher Jackie Wojtkowicz returns to the varsity after a one-year absence, joining forces with Perry to form a solid one-two punch on the mound.
‘We have two pitchers who can throw the ball 60 miles per hour and mix in four pitches to keep the batter off balance,? Gabrielson said of Perry and Wojtkowicz.
Rounding out this year’s Blackhawk varsity are juniors Brooke Schaefer and Ashley Brady, both returning lettermen who will join Dura in the outfield, and freshman Jennifer Sherman, who will be the Blackhawks? utility player, playing all nine positions.
Gabrielson said the Blackhawks have high expectations this year, but he believes the team is up to the challenge.
‘We want to win the Metro League, districts, and play on as far as our team can carry us,? he said. ‘They are a close group with a team attitude. They support each other and work well together on and off the field. This could be a magical season.?
Flood, one of the four seniors on this year’s squad, also said the Blackhawks are looking forward to the season.
‘We definitely want to win the Flint Metro,? she said. ‘We’re actually looking forward to going to states. The attitude is all very positive. We should do well.?