by Kaleigh Homer ‘15

Even with the departure of their longtime coach as well as the graduation of some key players, the girls’ softball team will enter the season with plenty of reasons to believe they can win a third consecutive 4A state championship.

The Warriors will begin the season nationally ranked at number 37, and second in the state behind Northern High School from Owings Mill. Senior Meggie Dejter, who was the team’s ace in 2012-2013, is looking forward to leading the ladies to one last state title before she graduates.

Although outfielder Amelia Naik, third baseman Kelsey Lineberger and first baseman Megan McDonough all graduated last year, returning players include juniors Juliane Swarr and Nicole Stockinger and seniors Marybeth Bidwick, Dejter, Addie Armbruster and Rae Harrison. Stockinger will play a huge part for the Warrior offense; in her sophomore season she hit 12 home runs in 21 games. Dejter was the team’s star pitcher last season, maintaining a .90 earned run average and 12 shutouts in her junior year, and will once again be primed to lead the girls to another title. The senior also knows how to pitch under pressure after pitching a one-hitter in the 2012 state championship.

“I believe states is possible this year because we have a great pitcher and awesome defense. We just need to not take anything for granted; we just need to work hard and keep our eyes on the prize,” said Swarr.

The retirement of legendary coach Pat Flanagan also should not impede the Warriors’ aspirations, because the team has found a very capable replacement in former JV coach Ashley Barber-Strunk. Flanagan turned the program around during her time in Sandy Spring, leaving a team which is currently on a 42-game winning streak in addition to the two consecutive state championships they have won.

“I am thrilled for this; it is something I have been waiting for,” said Barber-Strunk. “I have been playing since I was little and went DII and won the NCAA my senior year. I have the passion and the love of the sport to coach.”