Wolves return from ëexcellentí
spring softball trip to Florida

By GARY LARSON
Mille Lacs County Times
Posted 4/5/02

"Excellent."

Thatís how Milaca Softball Coach Randy Johnson described his teamís trip to Orlando, Fla.

"Things went very, very well," said Johnson. "We didnít run into any big obstacles and the team had a great time.

"On the playing field, we started out slow but we improved a great deal as the week went on. Off the field, the players had a lot of fun and they got a lot of work done on their school projects, too."

The team left Milaca via a North Central Transportation motor coach Thursday, March 21 and arrived in Orlando Friday evening, March 22.

The Wolves began a week-long series of scrimmages Saturday morning, March 23, by facing Montclair Academy of New York at the Disney Sports Complex.

Montclair, a three-time state champion and fifth-place finisher at a 2001 national tournament, swept a pair of scrimmages from the Wolves 11-0 and 6-2.

"Montclair had already played nine scrimmages and they really took it to us," said Johnson. "It was the first time we had been outdoors and that really showed."

The Wolves didnít play Sunday, March 24, but they met Hillsborough, N.J., in a twinbill Monday, March 25. Hillsborough, which was also unbeaten on its spring trip, swept Milaca 1-0 and 4-2.

"Our pitching was very good and we played solid defense," said Johnson. "Our bats were still quiet.

"Both scrimmages were very exciting and we were in both to the end. The Hillsborough coach said we were the best team his team had played on its trip."

On Tuesday, March 26, the Wolves lost a scrimmage against Pembroke Central of New York, 2-1.

"We had a 1-0 lead going into the bottom of the seventh inning but Pembroke rallied and scored two runs to beat us," said Johnson. "We hit the ball better but not at the right time."

The Wolves broke into the victory column by stopping Our Lady of Lourdes, N.Y., 4-3 on Wednesday, March 27.

Milaca got off to a quick start against Redhook High School of Buffalo, N.Y., Thursday, March 28, scoring six runs in the first inning. The Wolves led 7-1 after six innings before Redhook rallied with seven runs in the top of the seventh inning to take an 8-7 lead.

Milaca then scored twice in its half of the seventh inning to post a 9-8 victory.

The Wolves closed out their schedule by topping unbeaten Pembroke 2-1 Friday morning, March 29.

"Overall, the competition was much tougher than it was on our spring trip to Florida two years ago," said Johnson. "Once we got going we looked very good."

Among the things that impressed Johnson about his team were:

ïThe pitching of senior Angela Vedders and junior Micki Dillon.

"Both were sharp and they showed us that we have two solid pitchers," said Johnson. "Angela was her steady self and Micki showed sheís going to be a great complement to Angela."

ïThe teamís defensive play.

"We looked like we were in mid-season form on defense," said Johnson. "We made a lot of great plays both in the infield and outfield. The other teams and the umpires commented on how we were making plays."

ïThe teamís balanced hitting attack.

"Once we played some innings, our hitting improved and it was good all the way through the lineup," Johnson said.

ïThe teamís overall depth.

"Our younger players showed they are going to be pushing for playing time," said Johnson.

In addition to the scrimmages, team members also got to visit the Gulf Coast Beach, Coco Beach, the MGM studio attractions and Disneyís Magic Kingdom.

Milaca opened regular-season play Tuesday (April 2) against Ogilvie at the Rice-Arlington Dome in St. Paul.

The Wolves are scheduled to travel to Braham Monday for a non-conference game at 4:30 p.m., then open Rum River Conference play Thursday, April 11, at Foley at 4:30.

"Right now, those games are pretty doubtful," said Johnson. "Weíll have to see what the weather does."