High expectations for softballers

Given a choice, most fast-pitch softball coaches would choose quality pitching/average hitting over average pitching/quality hitting.
List Shawnee ninth-year coach Todd Boyer among those thinkers.
With the 2008 season fast approaching, Boyer has one of the best arms in the state in senior Ashley Brokeshoulder.
Her only junior blight came at a very inopportune time as the right-hander was declared academically ineligible before the playoffs.
“Ashley is one of the top two or three pitchers in the state, in any class,” Boyer said. “Any time she steps on the rubber, she gives us a chance to win.”
What makes Brokeshoulder so valuable?
Well, she not only throws six pitches — fastball, screwball, rise ball, drop ball, curveball and changeup — but she throws all of them consistently for strikes.
“That’s what separates her from other pitchers,” Boyer said. “And the tougher the situation is, the better she is. She has one of the best change-ups I’ve ever seen, about 47 miles per hour.”
Shawnee’s most proven offensive commodity is junior Sidni Boyer, daughter of Todd Boyer. Sidni led all SHS hitters last year at .347.
Also penciled in for starting assignments are junior Brooke Greenlee at shortstop and returning starter Kaylee Allen, a sophomore, at third base.
“Kaylee will be our sparkplug,” Todd Boyer said. “She’s very competitive and feisty. She goes as hard as she can all the time and does whatever she has to. She’s very enjoyable to be around.”
While Sidni Boyer is cemented in as the starting center fielder, the other two outfield slots are still up for grabs. Vying for those positions are five players — juniors Paige Bowden, Valerie Jett and Taylor Wercham and freshmen Kera Penson and Erin Bonner.
Junior Stacy Stovall and freshman Harley Davis will handle the catching duties. Stovall is also the No. 2 hurler.
“With Brokeshoulder on the mound, we should be in every game if we make the routine defensive plays,” Todd Boyer said. “Our question mark will be scoring runs. We lost two good RBI players in Kristin Janway and Emily Ledinski. We will have to have some people to take up the slack so people can’t pitch around Sidni all the time.”
Notes: Boyer said when the 5A rankings come out, Shawnee should be among the top 10 clubs. Among some of the other quailty 5A teams he mentioned were Carl Albert, Coweta, Bixby and Harrah. Assisting Todd Boyer will be coaches Roger Mize and David Rolette.... Shawnee will launch its season next Tuesday versus Guthrie on the Shawnee diamond.