Warriors ready to chase down a championship BY MIKE WHITE Staff Writer PLUMSTED - With a veteran lineup returning for the 2006 season, the New Egypt High School girls softball team is expected to roll over the competition in the Freedom Division en route to chasing that elusive Group I championship. Despite a gaudy 23-8 mark in 2005, the Lady Warriors came up one victory shy of winning the South Jersey Group I title. And with seven starters returning, New Egypt is one of the favorites to make a run at a Group I title. "We had an outstanding season," New Egypt coach Carolyn Eckhardt said. "The kids played great all season. We just came up a little short in that championship game. But with the majority of our team coming back, we should be in good shape." The Lady Warriors, however, do lose pitcher Taryn Pulvermuller to graduation. For two years, Pulvermuller was a fixture on the hill for New Egypt. She pitched all of the Lady Warriors games last season. "She is a key loss, no doubt," Eckhardt said. "But we have a very talented and deep squad. Even with the loss of our starting pitcher, we're still going to be in good shape." Senior Shannon Houston leads New Egypt into the season. Houston, who will attend California Berkley next fall, is one of the top players in the state. Houston is an outstanding defensive shortstop, who led the Lady Warriors in just about every offensive category last year. "She has been great for our program over the years," Eckhardt said. "She does everything well. She is the kind of player every coach dreams about having on their team." Senior Sara Messinger is the team's starting catcher, while teammate senior Brittany Kennedy is the squad's rightfielder. Senior Jessie Quatrone is returning to centerfield, giving New Egypt a lot of experience in the outfield. Junior Emily Dixon will start at second base, and junior Lindsay Rajeski is at third. Sophomore Emily Scraniero will play first base. Eckhardt is confident in her defense. "We are very solid defensively," Eckhardt said. "This team can make plays. It is one of our strengths." Sophomore Brooke Kennedy and junior Lynn Sandford will split time at designated hitter. New Egypt will toss a couple of freshman pitchers at the opposition this season. Replacing Pulvermuller are ninth-graders Abby Houston and Lindsay Mann. "Both are very good for being so young," Eckhardt said. "Of course, there are always question marks when you have freshmen on the team in that kind of position. But I have a lot of confidence in both. "Their job is to throw strikes and not walk people. We're not afraid to let other teams hit us. Our defense is quite solid behind them."