Lee-Davis Spring Preview

GIRLS SOCCER
Click here for the Lee-Davis girls soccer team page
2007 record: 8-2 Capital, 12-7
Coach: Brad Dalton (fifth season)
Preview: The key word around L-D girls soccer is anything but injury.

The Confederates had a slew of players miss significant time on the mend, but things are healthy to start the year.

"I've got two players back that would've really helped last year," coach Brad Dalton said. "So that solidifies the loss of the seniors.

"We don't even utter that word [injury]."

The aforementioned returning duo consists of midfielder Virginia Hendrick and defender Cassie McClelland.

Hendrick tore her right ACL and even played some games on it before realizing the injury. McClelland had an Achilles injury.

Add them to East Carolina-bound forward Kimmy Cummings, four-year starters in Caitlin Kirkwood and Crystal Tuck, and second-team all-region goalie Janie Evans, and you have a formidable unit.

"[Cummings] has definitely earned her position as the team leader," Dalton said. "She's one of those players you give the reins to.

"Overall, this is my strongest team from top to bottom that I've had in my five years here. We're trying to get where Atlee is, and become as consistent."

BASEBALL
Click here for the Lee-Davis baseball team page
2007 record: 9-3 Capital, 13-8
Coach: Kenny Lewis
Preview: Dominant pitching litters the Capital District.

Aaron Farrar (Atlee), Seth Cutler-Voltz (Henrico) and Jacob Mayers (Hanover) can singlehandedly shut down a lineup. Lee-Davis doesn't have that luxury, though junior Nick Frame looks to be a good one.

So hitting is a priority.

"I think in the past couple of years we've had a few out in the lineup," coach Kenny Lewis said. "I think we have some kids who are productive. Last year in the fifth of sixth inning if we were down 4-1 we were not able to fight back."

The biggest change Lewis sees is not in personnel but in staff. Reigning basketball coach of the year Tripp Metzger, his first as a head coach, is the pitching coach.

He played four years at Longwood after leading L-D to a state title as a lefty hurler. Though L-D doesn't have standouts, Lewis expects Metzger to make a difference.

"The attention they are going to get from coach Metzger will be nice," Lewis said. "We've lacked attention, and that's my fault. They'll be thrown in the fire."

SOFTBALL
Click here for the Lee-Davis softball team page
2007 record: 8-2 Capital, 15-7
Coach: Jackie Davis
Preview: The best overall team of the spring at Lee-Davis may reside on the softball field.

The Confederates return numerous experienced players, like Longwood signee Casey Clarke (CF), catcher Chelsea Mallory and junior Chelsea "Cheese" Mitchell at shortstop.

Hitting shouldn't be a problem, and pitching is strong as well with the duo of Melanie Hazlewood and Kelsey Hudson, who were tough on lineups in 2007. They should be even better for L-D and coach Jackie Davis this season.

The Confederates are very capable of knocking Hanover off of a perch its owned since becoming a school five seasons ago.