Chiefs look as strong as ever in wake of productive Florida trip

BY ED WRIGHT
April 12, 2010, 3:25 p.m.

  Veteran Canton softball coach Jim Arnold is closing in on 500 career victories faster than an Amy Dunleavy fastball.

  As impressive as the Chiefs looked in their spring-break trip to Kissimmee, Fla. last week, the milestone will be reached sooner than later.

  "Things went really well on our trip; we got a lot accomplished," said Arnold, who has registered 479 wins since he started calling the shots for the Chiefs in 1991. "We're a lot further along than we would have been had we not gone down south."

  Arnold has at least eight reasons to be optimistic about the upcoming season, which opens Wednesday at home against Wayne Memorial. The Chiefs return both of their starting pitchers -- senior captain Amy Dunleavy, who as signed to played with Ferris State University beginning next fall; and sophomore Alyssa Boucher, who recorded solid numbers as a freshmen -- their entire starting infield, including catcher Jesse Larner; and starting outfielder Lauren Leskovitz.
 
  "I'm very confident about this team," said Arnold. "With both pitchers back and our entire infield back, we're just looking for a couple of outfielders to fill the holes.

  "Amy is not only a leader and an outstanding pitchers, she's one of our hardest workers. When she's not pitching, she can play pretty much any position besides catcher.

  "Alyssa got a lot of mound time last year as a freshman, which can only help. She's really improved her velocity and her hitting has improved tremendously. I have no problem sending either Amy or Alyssa out there for a big game."

  The Chiefs' No. 1 catcher is sophomore Jess Larner, who played like a veteran during her freshman season.

  The infield spots will be ably filled by four juniors: first baseman Kaitlyn Mattson, second baseman Samantha Partain, shortstop CarolAnn Sexauer and third baseman Heidi Lucke. Sexauer, an All-KLAA performer as a sophomore, has already committed to play at the next level for Central Michigan University.

  "CarolAnn is a leader by example," said Arnold. "She has unbelievable athletic ability and great lateral movement in the field. She hit five home runs last year, which was a school record, and she has great range in the field."

  Leskovitz has earned the starting role in center field. A number of players are vying for the corner-outfield starting roles, including Boucher, freshmen Jessica Wagner and Sarah Wagner; and junior Brianna Schnur.

   Other key players include junior Logan Lankford, an infielder who displayed her awesome power in Florida by rocketing a 230-foot home run, sophomore outfielder Jillian Tomilenko, freshman Haile Craig, who will do some catching, and freshman Katherine Porter, who can also catch.

  Ed Wright can be reached at (734) 453-1980 or info@plymouthcantonsports.com.

Sophomore Alyssa Boucher will see plenty of time on the mound this spring.