Mooresville softball now winning close games

By: Brad Norman | Mooresville Tribune
Published: March 15, 2010

All those close losses suffered in 2009 have been turned around this year for Mooresville's softball team.

The Blue Devils are 3-0 in the young season. That includes an impressive 11-1 win over I-Meck 4A foe Mallard Creek in addition to gut-check wins over Carson (7-6) and Northwest Cabarrus (3-2).

"We lost a lot of heartbreakers last year," Blue Devils coach Lisa Zevan said. "We would jump ahead, but it seemed like the other team would catch up and get us at the end. I think winning (Friday's) game against Northwest Cabarrus was definitely about pride. The girls worked so hard during the fall and the winter. Everybody is walking around with their heads held high."

With five returning starters from last year's competitive team, the Blue Devils are putting themselves in position to make some noise in the 4A ranks.

Lake Norman, North Meck and Hopewell all earned one of their respective conference's allotted playoff spots last season, while Mallard Creek earned a wild-card entry.

Mooresville certainly expects to be in contention for one of the I-Meck's four guaranteed playoff spots.

"The atmosphere of Mooresville softball has grown," Zevan said. "We've seen the difference at our games. We've worked hard for it. We had Saturday practices, gone in the rain … I think we've surprised a lot of people this year. We're definitely a threat."

Mooresville' has five returning players from last season who have led the early-season turnaround.

Battery mates Margaret Whitestone (pitcher) and Hope Smith (catcher) have played together on varsity for three years now. Whitestone is 3-0 this year on the mound, and is Mooresville's go-to.

"Margaret is getting the job done," Zevan said. "She has improved tremendously, has worked hard and gotten her endurance up. She's pitched all seven innings every game so far."

Smith batted around .400 last season and was selected to the State Games.

And all the other returning starters — Jasmine Berryman, Megan Hillard and Carol Jo Rinehardt — all played on varsity as underclassmen as well.

"Megan is still leading our team in hitting," Zevan said. "They've all learned a lot over the years and have played very well together."