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Highlands Today

Lamb's Quite A Catch

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By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: June 2, 2008

AVON PARK –– Julie Lamb's grin could be heard through the phone after she was told that she'd been named the 2008 Highlands Today Softball Player of the Year.

"This is a total shock to me," Lamb said. "This is coming out of left field."

Actually it's catcher –– a position Lamb has been a leader at for the Red Devils for the last three seasons, and one she fell into by accident.

"When I was eight and playing Dixie softball, none of the other girls wanted to play catcher," Lamb said. "I volunteered and have been behind the plate ever since."

Her expertise at one of the hardest positions in softball comes from a solid work ethic and an underlying desire to get better with each game.

Avon Park head coach Mike Cobb gives all the credit to the Red Devil senior, who took on the role of offensive and clubhouse leader after Heather Barnes was sidelined with an injury.

"There's no better catcher in the league in my opinion than Julie," Cobb said. "Her error percentage (.993) is off the charts and she kept us going when Heather went down."

Lamb's offense was paramount for Avon Park after the loss of Barnes, as the Red Devil catcher seemed to relish her role when the game was on the line, especially against Sebring in the Class 4A-District 10 semifinals.

"I noticed the other girls on the team were kinda scared going against Sebring without Heather there," Lamb said. "I just settled them down and told them to go out and play. Win or lose, I wanted to leave everything out on that field."

The AP catcher went 2-for-3 with a home run, single and two runs scored in the district semifinal against Sebring, while batting .535 with five home runs, eight doubles, seven triples and 33 RBI to lead the Red Devils in nearly every offensive category this season.

But it's her love for the game and her teammates that keeps Lamb going when things are down.

"I just love playing softball," Lamb said. "I'm so glad I got to play for Coach Cobb and the other girls. Ashton, Missy, Heather and Logan –– we all grew up playing the game together and now it's over. "That's what I'll miss the most; seeing the girls in the field while I'm behind the plate."

THE TEAM

SAMMIE LOWER, JUNIOR, SEBRING When this Sebring junior ends her career, she may just rewrite the Blue Streak record books.

"Sammie is just one of those players you can always count on when the game is on the line," said Sebring head coach Lee Tolar. "She doesn't have many weaknesses in her game and is always working hard to improve her game."

Lower, who played second base, led the Heartland in batting with a .552 average with 17 doubles, five triples, 20 RBI and scored 32 runs while being one of the leaders in the dugout for the Streaks.

If this year was any indication, Lower is the favorite for Player of the Year honors next year and makes Sebring a contender for another district title and a long postseason run.

MEGAN SPURLOCK, SENIOR, LAKE PLACID A four-year varsity starter for the Green Dragons, Spurlock exemplified the meaning of teamwork, as the senior played three positions and was one of the top performers in several offensive categories.

"Megan gave us stability at the plate and in the dugout," LP head coach Marilyn Jones said. "She was our team leader and set a good example of playing through adversity."

Spurlock had an outstanding on-base percentage of .471 while batting .361 and was the emotional spark plug for the Green Dragons.

HEATHER BARNES, SENIOR, AVON PARK Not much else can be said about Barnes, who many have called one of the best pure athletes to come out of Avon Park.

Barnes, who started out playing Dixie baseball with the boys, has dominated softball in the Heartland for all four years of her prep career, as she earned a pair of Player of the Year honors for her accomplishments.

"Heather has top-notch skills and has great instincts for the game," Cobb said. "She's rarely out of position in the infield and that forced many opposing teams to hit away from her at shortstop."

Barnes had a great year at the plate, batting .526 with six home runs, 32 RBI and eight extra base hits in a season cut short by season-ending shoulder surgery that forced her to miss the final four games and the district tournament.

"She was an important part of our ballteam," Cobb said. "Not only in the field and at the plate, but her leadership in the clubhouse. That was key to the success we've had the last few years."

MARIBEL GARZA, SENIOR, LAKE PLACID In only her second-year playing softball, this two-sport athlete has come a long way in a short amount of time.

Garza, who is also was a key component on defense for the Green Dragon soccer team, gave her all every night on the mound and tried to keep her team in every game she pitched.

"Maribel was very professional and really improved from the first time she came to us to play softball," Jones said. "I really wished I had had her for all four years. It makes me wonder how the team would've been with her being more seasoned."

NIKI HELMS, JUNIOR, SEBRING Posting a 14-11 record on the mound for the Streaks this season, Helms's value to her team is not measured just in the stats.

"Niki is our vocal leader of the group," Tolar said. "She has great work ethic and her pitching has really improved this season, although her record doesn't necessarily show that. We lost a lot of close games for her."

Helms batted .489 with 14 RBI and 36 runs scored while stealing 11 bases in 92 at-bats for the district runner-up Blue Streaks.

ASHLEY PAEPLOW, JUNIOR, LAKE PLACID Making an impact doesn't have to always mean from the offensive side. The LP catcher showed that a solid defense can make just a loud a noise as a home run.

"Ashley really kept us in some games just with her defense behind the plate," Jones said. "She has a great arm and threw out numerous runners for us this season."

Paeplow was no slouch when it came to offense, as the junior batted .303 and had an on-base percentage of .425 for the Green Dragons this season.

LOGAN PALMER, JUNIOR, AVON PARK Moving from third to second base late in the season, Palmer never missed a beat and improved her defense by posting an .851 fielding percentage.

Hitting from the number two spot, Palmer batted .329 with four doubles, 16 RBI and walked 10 times for the Red Devils.

"Logan came on strong after she made the change to second," Cobb said. "She cut down on her errors this season, was solid as a hitter and improved her overall game."

CHRISTINA WELLS, SENIOR, LAKE PLACID The LP center fielder made numerous diving catches for the Green Dragons this season and was solid at the plate, finishing with a .279 batting average and a .318 on-base percentage.
"Christina was always full of energy," Jones said. "She had a knack for getting a good jump on the ball and making the difficult plays look easy."

AMANDA GRIMALDO, FRESHMAN, SEBRING It takes a lot for a freshman to make the All-Heartland team, but Grimaldo isn't just any freshman.

This natural athlete, who's already shown her skills on the soccer field this season, displayed some of the best defensive abilities in the Heartland.

A backhand grab and throw from her knees was not an uncommon sight to see from Grimaldo, as she's already established a reputation as one of the best defensive infielders in the district.

"The sky's the limit for Amanda," Tolar said. "Amanda just has so much natural ability and talent that you don't have to do much coaching and she'll be a real asset for the incoming coach."

Grimaldo finished her first varsity season by batting .471 with two home runs, 18 RBI and 29 runs scored in 87 at-bats for the Streaks.

BREARNNA TATE, JUNIOR, AVON PARK The hard-hitting Red Devil first baseman impressed Cobb more with her defense, as the junior was solid down the line for Avon Park this season.

"Bre has great instincts and she made good decisions playing first," Cobb said. "I knew I could always count on her bat, but her defense made it easy to take chances on hitters knowing she could handle the pressure."

Tate had a .922 fielding percentage to go with her .321 batting average with three home runs and 23 RBI.

WENDY NEGRIN, SOPHOMORE, SEBRING Taking over as starting catcher as a freshman, this sophomore has showed that she has the skills to be one of the best catchers to come out of the Heartland in quite a while.

While batting .489 with 13 RBI, 23 runs and stealing six bases, Negrin's value to the Streaks lies in her cannon-arm that has given opposing runners a moment of pause.

"Wendy is as solid at catcher as I've ever seen," Tolar said. "Her instincts for her position are well beyond her years and that shows in her play."

MISSY LANDER, SENIOR, AVON PARK This fiery competitor intimidated many pitchers with her aggressive approach and the stats to back up her take no prisioners attitude.

"Missy is just a competitor," Cobb said. "She's a by the book outfielder with a cannon for an arm. I can't tell you how many times she's saved us by running down a long fly ball. She's just a ball player."

Lander, who starred for the Red Devils in volleyball and basketball during her four-year career, batted .356 with nine extra base hits and 25 RBI while walking 12 times.

PRISCILLA ADAMS, JUNIOR, SEBRING This Blue Streak rightfielder always had the propensity for being in the right place at the right time –– and her ability to get key hit after key hit in crucial times is something Tolar said is all about "Pookie's" will to win.

"[Adams'] is just a strong player and a fierce competitor," Tolar said. "When we needed a key hit, I always had faith that she'd come up with the hit for us. She's as tough as they come."

Adams' .507 batting average and 19 RBI backed up Tolar's assessment of the junior outfielder, but her patience at the plate is evident as she struck out just once in 75 at-bats for the Streaks this season.

ASHTON SHIREY, SENIOR, AVON PARK The unqualified ace for the Red Devils. Shirey has been in the pressure cooker for the past two years and has relished the role.

"I love getting the ball in a big game," Shirey said. "I never back down from a challenge."

Shirey went 17-7 with a 1.75 ERA and gave up only 67 runs –– and no home runs –– while striking out 98 in 136 innings.

"Ashton finally learned the change-up," Cobb laughed. "It isn't rocket science when talking about why Ashton was so effective for us. She didn't have an overpowering fastball, so she hit her spots and lived on the corners."

HANNAH SHOOP, JUNIOR, SEBRING Shoop improved in almost every aspect of her game during her junior campaign.

The Sebring first baseman and three-sport athlete batted .419 with 13 RBI and just five strike outs in 74 at-bats for the Streaks this season to the delight of her coach.

"Hannah played more relaxed in the field this season," Tolar said. "She hits with lots of power but got few good pitches to hit. She played three sports so it was tough I think for her to go from basketball right into softball. But she managed to get through it and has become a solid ball player.

"If she would've concentrated on just softball, I think she couldn't been amazing."

KIM WHITE, JUNIOR, AVON PARK A shining example of why the cupboard won't be bare next season for the Red Devils, White, the starting left fielder, impressed many with her improvement in all aspects of her game.

"Kim was solid this season in the field," Cobb said. "She made her fair share of diving catches and was an asset at the plate as well."

White batted an impressive .444 with 23 RBI and drew 14 walks in 72 at-bats and should no doubt get even better next season.

COACHES OF THE YEAR

After 14 seasons coaching both Sebring and Avon Park and numerous district titles and playoff appearances, not to mention the hundreds of girls that they've touched along the way, Blue Streaks head coach Lee Tolar and Red Devil head coach Mike Cobb have been named the 2008 Highlands Today Co-Coach of the Year. Tolar and Cobb decided to step down after the '08 season.

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