Bears are having a feast

After striking out a Howard County-record 283 batters in 2006, Speierman has been just as dominating this year, leading the Bears to an 8-0 start entering this week. She is credited with all eight wins while striking out 142 and not allowing an earned run.

First-year Hammond coach Richard Pond said Speierman is even more impressive than her statistics indicate and he only expects her to get better over the next two years.

“She has all of the pitches,” Pond said. “She throws hard, has great movement and has a knack for hitting her spots. But even when she doesn?t have her best stuff, Stephanie has shown the ability to come up with big pitches when she has to.”

Speierman said she is excited about her success, as Hammond tries to build on last year?s 14-6 record. She added that she would like nothing more than to be in the hunt for the Class 2A state title.

“We?re trying not to look too far ahead, but this team really learned how to win last year,” she said. “We have a lot of players back from that team, and we really believe that we always have a chance to win.”

While Speierman gets most of the attention from opposing teams, the Bears possess much more than just a star pitcher. Center fielder Jessica Purdy (.310 average), shortstop Katie Skojec (.320) and catcher Katie McCarthy (.269, 7 RBI) all have made strong contributions. Purdy, according to Pond, is the prototypical leadoff hitter who sets the tone for the offense. And Skojec, Pond said, has been a solid defender who is just starting to hit the ball after struggling with injuries.

As for McCarthy, Pond said she is playing beyond her years as a freshman catching Speierman on a daily basis.

“She does such an incredible job working with Stephanie,” Pond said. “Her pitches move so much and she throws so hard that it takes a great athlete like Katie to catch her.”