Sports - May 2003

Lady Mustangs begin new quest

E. Lincoln completes unbeaten run through Big South 3A

By JOHN MARK BROOKS, LTN Staff Writer

What do the 1972 Dolphins and the 2003 East Lincoln Lady Mustangs’ conference record have in common – a perfect record.

 Coach Scott Spohler’s softball team is an unblemished 14-0 in the conference. They’ve already won two championships this season and now they are going for the ultimate one – a state title.

The year has been one of selflessness and putting team goals and desires over individual accolades. Their season has been an example of what a team can accomplish working cohesively as a unit.

Stephanie Edwards and Courtney Ewing returned this year with the title of all-conference under their belt from last year. With that title comes expectations, but Edwards and Ewing have done anything but disappoint. Edwards batting average is .528 and has 25 RBIs on the year.

“Stephanie has had a fantastic year batting for us. She has a great attitude and one of my hardest workers,” coach Spohler said.

“Courtney is our hardest throwing pitcher on our staff – her fastball is awesome! She’s very versatile and has brought a lot to the table,” Spohler said.

Ewing is batting .420 along with 20 RBIs. She also has a 6-1 record on the mound with an ERA of 1.87.

One of the most intriguing stories on the team comes from a transfer from Vance, Carina Vinzant. Vinzant went from playing JV last year to compiling a perfect 6-0 record while maintaining a minute ERA of 0.80. Many, including Spohler, have been impressed with her pitching this season.

“She’s taken her game from last year and elevated it to a whole new level. She’s gained more and more confidence as the year has gone on,” he said.

That growth as a player is what enabled her to pitch a perfect game this season.

Her success, Courtney Ewing and Nicole Hall’s success wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for junior catcher Nicole Shoemaker. The Lady Mustangs only returned one pitcher from last year, but Shoemaker has not missed a beat. Her coach agrees.

“She understands my pitchers’ strengths and weaknesses. She’s a strong leader behind the plate for us,” he said.

Shoemaker has a .471 batting average with four doubles on the season.

Consistent hitting is an understatement for the team as Edwards, Ewing, Shoemaker, Stephanie Horne and Brooke Michael all batted over .400 for the Lady Mustangs. Kristen Taffi led the ladies with 25 RBIs.

The spark plug of this talented team is leadoff hitter Amanda Goodson. Goodson has an on-base percentage of over .500 and 14 stolen bases on the season. She also handles all the defensive rotations for the infield.

“She’s a very smart softball player. She’s very patient and that patience pays off,” Spohler said.

It’s the lack thereof of patience that have led the Lady Mustangs to such a successful season.

The Lady Mustangs are 17-2 overall and are coming off a huge win over Ashbrook to win the conference tournament. They meet the Enka Sugar Jets on Friday in the first round of the state playoffs. Enka comes into the game with a 17-4 record.

East Lincoln is looking for revenge after the Sugar Jets knocked them out of the playoffs last year with a 1-0 victory in nine innings.

As coach Spohler puts it, “We’ve accomplished one and two – now we’re going for three.  

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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