Eastview Softball Hopes Increased Offense Leads To Conference Title

2010 record: 15-9

Conference record: 7-5

Section 3AAA tournament: def. Rosemount 5-4, lost to Burnsville 2-0, lost to Lakeville South 6-2

The Eastview softball team has a mission this season: Score more runs.

The Lightning finished the 2010 campaign 15-9 overall but were 3-6 in games when they scored two runs or fewer. That includes back-to-back losses in last year’s Section 3AAA tournament.

But coach Mike Haugh said despite losing some of its power from a year ago, Eastview has a goal to increase its offensive numbers this spring.

“It was a big time struggle; we couldn’t put enough runs on the board,” Haugh said. “When that happens you only have to give up 1-2 (runs) and you end up on the losing end. This year we figure we’re going to try and score 4-5 a game.”

Key returners

Haugh is excited to see what junior pitcher Paige Palkovich can do in the circle and at the plate. Palkovich not only has a solid fastball with a good range of complementary pitches, but Haugh said she also could have a big season offensively.

“She’s got a lot of experience—she’s pretty unflappable,” Haugh said. “Things don’t get to her. If she’s not throwing strikes, she’s not going to hang her head on the mound. She’s a teachable, coachable kid.”

Meanwhile, Haugh said Sam Weinberg had quality at-bats during the team’s spring break trip to Florida, and he hopes she will make an impact in the lineup.

“It seems like every year somebody steps up,” Haugh said. “The kid that hit .200 last year is all of a sudden hitting the cover off the ball this year. We don’t know who it’s going to be yet, but we hope it’s going to be two or three different kids.”

Key losses

The Lightning will miss Lindsay Spanton at the plate and in the field this season. Spanton, who now plays for Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, was a two-year starter and a two-time All-Lake Conference selection.

Conference outlook

If the team is balanced offensively and defensively, Haugh said he thinks the Lightning can contend in what is a more wide-open conference situation than in previous years.

Burnsville is still the favorite, but with Eagan losing star pitcher Sara Moulton to graduation, Haugh said there is no clear-cut top two teams in the new South Suburban Conference field.

He said look for Eastview to be in the conversation.

“We’re hoping we’re the team that nobody wants to play,” Haugh said. “I think we can legitimately finish in the top three, and if we can eke out a game that maybe we shouldn’t win, I think we’ve got a good shot. We’re that kind of team.”