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	The Ypsilanti Courier A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Strong hitting and improved pitching fuel team's hopes

By Bruce Mason, Special Writer

PUBLISHED: April 5, 2007

Lincoln head softball coach Karen Sexsmith is excited.

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It's not because she has help this year with two varsity assistants, something she didn't have last season. She is excited because her Railsplitters look like they can compete this season.

With nine seniors, the goal is to be above .500 in the win column. Achieving a victory in the SEC, is on the Lady Railsplitters' to do list as well.

"That's what we're shooting for," Sexsmith said. "We've got a strong conference this year. These other teams, their girls play travel ball. They've got a head start on us all the time.

"They're tough teams to play against."

Railsplitters Chelsea Solvinski and Barbara Hubbard play travel ball, too. They're part of an entire infield that is returning this season.

Sexsmith will have four pitchers this season which is an improvement from last year when Sexsmith had a starting rotation of three.

Senior Meaghan Deane will be the number one pitcher, and senior Julie Strimpel is going to try her hand on the mound as well.

Strimpel broke a wrist in the summer of 2005, and held off on trying to pitch last season, since it was still too weak. Senior Alexa Anderson will pitch rounds out the rotation for Sexsmith.

The Railsplitters' lineup is led by power hitters in the likes of Solvinski and Strimpel followed up by Hubbard who also can produce some offense at the plate.

Behind the plate, however, is where Hubbard has been working hard. She has received help from her father, Craig Hubbard, who now is an assistant coach along with Scott Porter.

"We're working on her arm so she can throw more girls out," Sexsmith said, adding that Hubbard has been weight training, and is now working on throwing from the crouch position.

"Her dad's got her popping up to throw. So other teams better watch out," she said.

The 2007 Lady Railsplitters open their season against Dundee 4 p.m. Thursday at home. They will face Highland Park and Saline, respectively, in back-to-back home games April 18 and 19.

Bruce Mason is a freelance sports writer for The View and Courier newspapers. He can be reached through editor@ypsilanticourier.com.