Maricopa High School softball team 2016. Photo by William Lange

The Maricopa High School softball team hopes to have a strong performance with a senior-heavy roster in the 2016 season.

“We’re really hoping to make the playoffs this year,” head coach Brandi Howell said. “We have 11 seniors this season, so their experience should help. We’re really looking to make a mark.”

The Rams look to be balanced on both offense and defense. With so many veterans, the Rams will have plenty of firepower in both hitting and pitching aspects of the game.

“Hitting-wise, I think we should be strong,” Howell said. “I also think Amber Cramer will have a great year pitching.”

Maricopa will be dropping to Arizona Interscholastic Association Division III for the 2016 season. The Rams will also only play three returning playoff teams from 2015. The girls expect their experience at the higher levels of competition to help carry them through a moderate schedule.

“We’re looking to perform consistently throughout the year,” Howell said. “We have moved down a division this year. We will be moving back up next year, so we want to make a name for ourselves this season.”

To open the season, the girls finished second in the Agua Fria Tournament. Their overall record is 3-4. Friday and Saturday, the Rams host the annual Kristen Diehl Tournament.

Schedule
Feb. 22        Agua Fria Tourney/Agua Fria            W 8-2
Feb. 24        Agua Fria Tourney/Florence             L 1-7
Feb. 24        Agua Fria Tourney/Youngkers           L 2-5
Feb. 26        Agua Fria Tourney/Agua Fria            W 6-3
Feb. 27        Agua Fria Tourney/Buckeye             W 8-3
Feb. 27        Agua Fria Championship/AF             L 4-10
March 1       @ Seton Catholic                               L 1-7
March 4-5    (H) Kristen Diehl Tournament
March 16      v. Marcos de Niza                              4 p.m.
March 18      v. Youngker                                        3:45 p.m.
March 22      v. Coolidge                                         3:45 p.m.
March 23      v. Betty Fairfax                                  3:45 p.m.
March 24      v. Casa Grande                                   4 p.m.
March 29     @ Estrella Foothills                         6 p.m.
March 31     @ North                                              3:45 p.m.
April 5          @ Poston Butte                                 7 p.m.
April 8           v. Fountain Hills                                3:45 p.m.
April 13        @ Veritas Prep                                   3:45 p.m.
April 15        @ Saguaro                                         3:45 p.m.
April 19        v. Apache Junction                            3:45 p.m.
April 20        @ Vista Grande                                 4 p.m.
April 22        @Tempe                                            3:45 p.m.
April 26        v. Higley                                              3:45 p.m.
April 27        @ Sahuarita                                       4 p.m.

Adam Wolfe
Adam Wolfe
http://inmaricopa.com
Adam was born in New Haven, Connecticut, but spent the majority of his young life in Lakeside, Arizona. After graduating from Blue Ridge High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. He has been working in the field of journalism since 2010. Adam has worked in a wide range of fields including professional sports and international media relations. He has also been a breaking news reporter, sports columnist, government reporter and community reporter. He spent a year in Denver, Colorado before coming to Maricopa in 2015. In his spare time, he will often be found enjoying the great outdoors. If he isn’t hiking or fishing, he is likely hopelessly cheering on his Arizona sports teams. Adam was born in New Haven, Connecticut, but spent the majority of his young life in Lakeside, Arizona. After graduating from Blue Ridge High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. He has been working in the field of journalism since 2010. Adam has worked in a wide range of fields including professional sports and international media relations. He has also been a breaking news reporter, sports columnist, government reporter and community reporter. He spent a year in Denver, Colorado before coming to Maricopa in 2015. In his spare time, he will often be found enjoying the great outdoors. If he isn’t hiking or fishing, he is likely hopelessly cheering on his Arizona sports teams. Adam was born in New Haven, Connecticut, but spent the majority of his young life in Lakeside, Arizona. After graduating from Blue Ridge High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. He has been working in the field of journalism since 2010. Adam has worked in a wide range of fields including professional sports and international media relations. He has also been a breaking news reporter, sports columnist, government reporter and community reporter. He spent a year in Denver, Colorado before coming to Maricopa in 2015. In his spare time, he will often be found enjoying the great outdoors. If he isn’t hiking or fishing, he is likely hopelessly cheering on his Arizona sports teams.
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