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Erija
Nealeigh and Allison Dill will have to be at the top of their
respective games starting
tonight as the state’s dance in softball gets
underway. CNO Photos by George Starks
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Lady Trojans
gearing up for big run
Arcanum opens tonight at home
By George Starks
ARCANUM- The Arcanum Lady Trojans open up tonight at 5 p.m. at home
with Brookville as the OHSAA softball tournament gets underway.
“It all starts tonight,” said Arcanum coach Rick Stone in an exclusive
interview recently. “Sectionals are what we’ve been working for most of
the season. With the Cross County Conference out of reach for us, we
set our sights on the sectionals. The girls are excited, I’m excited
and our fans are excited.”
From top to bottom in the line-up, Stone has a very potent team that
has the potential to go deep into the tournament.
“We have a very strong team and some kids that can hit the ball,” Stone
pointed out. “We have the horses to go deep in the tournament but we
have to hit the ball, play defense and score runs.”
Like any softball team, it all starts in the circle and that means
Erija Nealeigh.
“Erija is a warrior,” Stone said of his pitcher. “She always wants the
ball and she’s a winner so she will be ready to go when it’s game time.
She‘s done a great job all year long and the team’s behind her. She
knows she‘s got a good team behind her and they will be there doing
their best for her.”
Brookville is no stranger to the Trojans. The two teams met earlier in
the season with the Trojans coming away with a 5-3 victory.
“That was early in the season and Brookville is a good team,” said
Stone. “If we come out and play the way we are capable of, we will be
alright. We have the home field advantage in this game so that works in
our favor.”
With a 15-5 record overall, the Trojans are a fifth seed in the
sectional.
“With only five losses and to be a five seed, it only says just how
tough the sectional is,” Stone pointed out. “We were fortunate enough
to get the home field in the first round and the girls are excited
about that so this is a good opportunity for this team and our program.”
The sectional the Trojans are in is a loaded one.
“Miami East, Milton-Union, Preble Shawnee and everyone else in this
section, including Brookville, is tough,” Stone admitted. “This is no
easy sectional. Everyone in the sectional can win it. Northeastern can
win this. We are a five seed for a reason and it’s because the
competition in this sectional is just that good.”
Mistakes and injuries have plagued the Trojans this season forcing
Stone to make changes in his defense.
Most recently, Stone had to bring junior left fielder, Allison Dill, in
to play third.
“We’ve got a few injuries right now and they are hitting the ball well
in practice,” Stone said. “Right now, I would say Allison will be in
left starting tonight.”
Arcanum made a trip to the state final four in 2001.
Stone would love nothing more than to see his team get back to that
spot in the tournament again.
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