Aggies break into playoffs
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CRAIG L. MORAN/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Arbor View’s Amanda Jones is part of a pitching staff that has allowed three or fewer runs in 19 of 30 games this season, helping the Aggies reach the Sunset Region playoffs for the first time. » Buy this photo
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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
We were so close.
For three seasons, Arbor View’s softball team said and heard those four words so often, the players might have mistaken them for the school motto.
Time after time, the Aggies came up just short of beating a team they had never beaten or qualifying for playoffs they’d only watched and read about.
Not anymore.
Led by a six-member senior class and a solid pitching trio, the Aggies are headed to the Sunset Region playoffs. Arbor View (16-14) opens play Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Majestic Park against Southwest League champion Durango (24-7).
“It’s overwhelming and incredible. I wouldn’t trade the feeling that I have now for anything,” said senior catcher/infielder Chelsea Venable. “Everybody has stepped up when we needed them to.”
The Aggies finally climbed the mountain this season, helped by wins over Shadow Ridge, Centennial and Palo Verde in Northwest League play. The Aggies finished 8-6 and in fourth place in the league.
“In the past, literally after every game, in the huddle it was like, 'We were so close,’ ” Arbor View coach Hilary Eisen said. “They finally saw the light. We beat teams we haven’t beaten in the past. They showed themselves they could do it.”
This year’s team is almost identical personnel-wise to the team that was so close last year, going 6-8 in league play. But it’s a different makeup in terms of chemistry.
“We had some drama on our team last year, but they’re completely different people this year,” Eisen said. “Their personalities are different. Their desire is deeper. They just want it a whole lot more.”
It doesn’t hurt that the team received a shot in the arm from pitchers Amanda Jones, Berlin Panduro and Marlene Panduro. Arbor
View has allowed three or fewer runs in 19 of its 30 games this season, including the final five of the regular season.
“They’ve been amazing,” Venable said. “It’s good to have three pitchers that no matter the situation, we can always go to any of them.”
The Aggies have also hit well. Venable carries a .435 average and 27 RBIs into region play. Sophomore infielder Nichole Diaz is right behind at .424.
“We just have to keep working as a team, being a family on the field,” said senior infielder Tiffanee Anderson, third on the team in batting average and second in RBIs. “We all have to step up as one.”
In Tuesday’s other first-round matchups in the Sunset Region: Clark (18-11) meets Shadow Ridge (22-10) at 4 p.m.; Cimarron-Memorial (21-9) faces Bonanza (28-6) at 6 p.m.; and Desert Oasis (13-20) takes on Centennial (22-7) at 6 p.m.
In Sunrise Region first-round games Tuesday at Majestic Park: Silverado (14-12) battles Valley (15-7) at 4 p.m.; Rancho (8-18) meets Green Valley (24-6) at 4 p.m.; Liberty (22-10) takes on Las Vegas (14-8) at 6 p.m.; and Eldorado (10-10) faces Foothill (24-11) at 6 p.m.
Both regional title games are scheduled for Friday.
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softball player. wrote on May 13, 2009 10:29 AM:
I told myself I wasn't going to write on this because most the comments from 'OMG' and 'RENEE' are false,immature,and ridiculous. I personally know the softball player they seem to know so much about and she would LOVE to thank that person for making her their number 1 hobby, and for giving her that much more fire to push her to be the best ball player she can be. Also thank you to the parents and girls who have stuck up for her throughout it all. :)
Softballparent wrote on May 12, 2009 10:44 PM: Hey if anyone knows who Renee or OMG is, come see the dad of the Arbor View player they seem to know so much about. He is real interested in knowing who it is. They have a lot to talk about. Good Luck to all the teams out there, carry yourself as champions in both victory and defeat. To all the seniors, you've made your parents proud and this is your time to shine. fan wrote on May 12, 2009 09:45 PM: Id love to know who her/his real Identity is, I bet some AVHS parents would love to know also. softball fan wrote on May 12, 2009 09:05 PM: OMG or Renee or whatever name you are going by this week...you are a complete idiot. At no time did any player take a bat to any teammates or parents at AVHS. Get over it...the fact that you continue to spread a vicious rumor started a year ago is pathetic. You seem very unhappy and obviously very jealous of the player you keep bringing up. By the way your identity is no longer anonymous and you can thank some of you friends for that. Fan wrote on May 12, 2009 07:12 PM: OMG, Is that it, is that all you got, LOL Renee you dont have to change your name, we all know your an Idiot. Facts, get them straight, people like you are losers, maybe you might be able to get a job in the fast food Industry or animal day care because we know you cant get into college. I have learned this in the last few years, colege coaches get fired for not winning, they want ball players, not angels. I typed this slowly OMG so you could read it Thanks for being you precious Softball fan wrote on May 12, 2009 07:08 PM: Innocent bystander, guess you miss the whole game where the Centennial players were calling the Aggies a suck &&& team. And yes the coaches, from both team were at fault as well as the players. Did you see how the Bulldog players flicpped off the parents from Arbor view. How about instead of being embarrassed about one team, we be embarrassed for both. Softball Dad wrote on May 12, 2009 07:05 PM: OMG, just curious, what team does your daughter play for. I am a parent for Arbor View who happened to be there, who happens to know exactly what happened and there was no bat incident. It's people like you who are either jealous because your kid is not good enough or just plain a loser. Leave the kids alone, if you really want to stand up for something put your real name on the writing, and see what happens School Administrator wrote on May 12, 2009 07:00 PM: I work for the school district and the incident people keep trying to bring up never happen. There were 4 girls and there parents in a shouting match, that was it, and as I recall it's not against the law or school policy to yell. Individuals need to understand that you can get each screen name from these statement and be charged with defamation of character. It would be wise to watch what is said because in this age, in a court of law, you will be held accountable for damages. Softball Mom wrote on May 12, 2009 04:36 PM: Good luck Chelsea,Monique,Krizzel,kristen,Megan,Gabby,,Amanda,Shayla,Amanda W,Jamie,jessie,katirina,victoria and your teams we are all one family!!! Innocent bystander wrote on May 12, 2009 02:00 PM: I am an arbor view parent who just happened to be at the centennial arbor view game for centennial's senior day. My daughter's don't play softball, but I was there to support one of my friends daughter's on centennial. After the game,the arbor view girls cheer was horrible, telling centennial that they sucked a**. I was so embarrassed that the girls and the coaches laughed and acted like that was ok, and that my girls school let this behavior go. Read More Comments |
