Lady Rangers look to improve

Published 2:00 pm Thursday, March 22, 2007

By By JEFF FISHER / Edwardsburg Argus
Softball must run in the veins for Cass head softball coach Randy Brooks. Brooks returns for his third season as the skipper of the Lady Rangers.
Brooks brings a wealth of experience to the program. Prior to Cass, he was the coach at Dowagiac for 16 years and the junior varsity coach for two years. He began his coaching in spring of 1987. He was coaching under his mentor Denny Dock while at Dowagiac
Brook's overall record in 18 years is 442-198.
This year's squad features 10 returning letterwinners from a team that went 4-10 in conference play and 12-16 overall before bowing out in the district final against Centreville 4-0.
"Our strength is our hitting, but our defense is what we need to improve on," Randy Brooks said.
Becky File and Nikitas Nelson return for the Lady Rangers. File, an outfielder and designated hitter, hit four homeruns and led the team in RBI's. While Nelson, second base, led the team in runs scored and was the top base stealer.
"She is fast," Brooks added.
Symone Pompey and Kayla Green are the returning top pitchers.
"Both juniors have experience in the circle for us," Brooks said of his pitchers.
Rounding out the returness for the Rangers are Nicole Green at catcher, Molly Vite in the outfield, Branna Wyant at first base and Brittany Francis at catcher.
"Samantha Vlasiak, shortstop, and Emily Phillips. an infielder, have both looked good in the preseason, but our goal is to have a winning record and to win districts," Brooks said. "Buchanan, Brandywine, and Edwardsburg are my predictions for a very tough conference schedule."
The Lady Rangers open against Buchanan on April 10 at home.