Hammond's championship hopes in 2008 will again rest on the golden arm of Stephanie Speierman. As a sophomore last spring, she went 23-1 and fanned a state-record 426 batters.
Junior Sarah McCauley is back for Hammond, anchoring the outfield. The Bears are 3-1 on the young season.
What to do for an encore?
After a 23-1 campaign and the Class 2A state championship last spring, Hammond High girls' softball team have big expectations this spring. The Guilford Road school is 3-1 on the young season heading into Friday's road game at River Hill, the first of a four-game road stretch.
"We're looking to do some good things this year. We've lost a few seniors that were part of our winning season," said Hammond coach Richard Pond. "We have a few juniors that are stepping up and a couple of sophomores looking to take their place. We're hoping they'll keep working hard."
The one underclassmen that has established herself is junior pitcher Stephanie Speierman, who's among one of the best hurlers in Maryland. After establishing the Howard County record for strikeouts as a freshman, there wasn't any "sophomore jinx" for Speierman last year, putting together one of the best single seasons in recent memory.
The pitcher of record in all 24 Hammond decisions, she shattered the state and county record for strikeouts (426) and tied the state mark for victories (23) and postseason shutouts (five). She had 14 shutouts including a perfect game in the state title match against North East. At the plate, Speierman led Howard County with a .649 average and drew 37 walks, another state mark.
"It's going to be hard for her to top thatm but I know she's determined to break all those records again," said Pond, whose team only loss this season came against C. Milton Wright. "She's just a competitor. She does anything it takes. She gives her best effort every time."
Sophomore Katie McCarthy is back behind the plate for the Bears with junior Brittany Hazzard and senior Mandy Snyder, one of three seniors on the roster, at second. The outfield will be anchored by junior Sarah McCauley with Kiersten Palmer, Leslie Beard and Kayla Hunter gaining major playing time.
"We just want to get through each individual game and see where it goes from there," said Spierman, who was given a verbal commitment to the University of Michigan. "We never look to far into the future. We're going into it with the same mentality, and, hopefully, we'll be successful."
2008 Hammond softball rosterHilda Abrah-Wiafe. Sr., rightfield
Leslie Beard, So., pitcher/leftfield
Samatha Gailey, Fr., centerfield
Brittany Hazzard, Jr., third base
Kayla Hunley, So., centerfield
Katie McCarthy, So., catcher
Sarah McCauley, Jr., centerfield
Morgan Mesol, So., shortstop
Kiersten Palmer, So., rightfield
Jancie Rattigan, Jr., first base
Mandy Snyder, Sr., second base
Stephanie Speierman, Jr., pitcher
Katie Suntum, So., first base
Britany Tigerina, Sr., rightfield