Texas Aces High School Highlights

02/08/07

Where pitching and softball are concerned, riding a horse until it drops certainly seems to be successful game plan.

That's why the Pearland Lady Oilers have reason to optimistic about a lenghty playoff run this year, despite the loss of five starters.

Hard-throwing senior Rhiannon Kliesing returns with her vast array of pitches to lead Pearland's bid for a state tournament berth.

Behind her last year, the Lady Oilers reached the regional finals.

Kliesing's golden arm on the mound accounted for 28 wins last year, a number that earned her the Houston Chronicle's Player of the Year. She also posted impressive shutout, strikeout and earned run average numbers.

Her presence alone as a returnee automatically makes Pearland a state-tournament contender.

"I'm concerned about our defense and if we can score runs for Rhiannon," Pearalnd head coach Laneigh Clark said. "We know she's going to do a tremendous job on the mound.

"She's really worked hard in the weight room. Her arms and legs are stronger, and she's a much more powerful hitter, too."

The Lady Oilers narrowly missed going to state, losing in the regional finals to district rival Brazoswood.

"The success we had last year certainly was a great experience for us and should inspire these girls," Clark said. "We want to do that again, but we know just getting out of this district is so tough."

And where softball is concerned, the smallest of mistakes can become magnified in a hurry. That's why Clark knows she needs to put the right people in the right places.

"We'll have Lindsay Langner back at second base, but we're moving Kelsea Orsak from first base to catcher," Clark said. "We lost our shortstop and third baseman to graduation, so we'll have to fill those holes."

Clark said freshman Jay Bechtle and sophomore Norma Trevino could wind up at shortstop and third base, respectively. Caroline Schaeffer, a varsity member last year, could take over first base for Orsak.

"We're going to have a lot of freshmen and sophomores out there," Clark said. "The eight seniors we have are going to need to motivate this young people."

And Kliesing believes she needs to lead by example.

"I definitely think we can go as far as we did last year," Kliesing said. "We've got a lot of young players, but they can get the job done.

"I feel like I have to take on a strong leadership role, but I think all the seniors do."

For Kliesing, that means throwing strikes, mixing up pitches, getting outs.

"It won't be a problem pitching to Kelsea," said Kliesing, who threw to Jessica Pledger for three years.

"I've played with Kelsea a lot of years in softball, and she'll be following me to A&M, too.

"I definitely feel stronger this year because I've been working out a lot more. I know I can last longer if I have to. I know I'll have a new infield behind me, but I have confidence in them."

In the outfield, Amy Ramirez, Kesha Hagerman and Jennifer Haynie are likely to start, but sophomore Jensen Tydelski could move into a starting role. Tiffany Stritz is a candidate for first base or as designated hitter.

"We'll have to see how these young kids handle pressure in big games," Clark said.

"Rhi is a great kid that handles pressure well. I'm eager to see how she performs this year. She's added 10 pounds of muscle.

"She hasn't added any new pitches but we're probably going to ask her to throw the change-up more. She and Kelsea should work good together.

Kelsea's a great kid that works as hard as anyone on the team.

"If we can get our other players to follow their lead, that will be a good start."