Julie Cavanaugh remembers how an opportunity can close in an instant.
The senior shortstop, with the Towson softball team, has the moment woven into her mind. Last season, the Generals finished the regular season 15-5, before bowing out to Catonsville in the quarterfinal round of the Class 3A playoffs.
Cavanaugh, a four-year starter on the varsity squad, is anxious to rebound from last year?s early exit, and make a deep postseason run.
“We were right there, but we just couldn?t get the win,” said Cavanaugh, who sports a .364 batting average with seven RBIs. “This time we are much more confident about our chances to get over the hump.”
A lot has changed since then for Towson softball, a once -proud program. The team lost five senior starters to graduation, and that group generated about a third of the team?s offense.
In the past few weeks though, the Generals? team batting average has risen 30 points, from .230 to 260. Cavanaugh is second on the team with eight hits.
“We have been really hitting the ball well this year,” second-year coach Cas Hans said. “We want to reestablish ourselves. But it?s going to take some time.”
On the field, Towson is sitting at 6-4 nearing the midway part of the season. A Class 3A team, the Generals face top-area programs such as Catonsville and Dulaney.
“We play a pretty tough schedule, but I think it has really made us a much better team,” said senior right-hander Carol Dobrzycki, who has added some variety to her pitching repertoire this season.
“I have a pretty good change-up and a drop-curve that can get most hitters out,” she added. “It has great movement and it keeps most people off-balance.”
The varsity team has five seniors, but six starters are expected to return next season. Much of the future is being built on the junior class, which includes second baseman Maggie Connolly and pitcher Laura Noell.
“We?re underdogs all the time, but we?re trying to gain respect, even with the umpires,” said sophomore catcher Sam Shrewsbury, who has two home runs and 11 RBIs. “But we have to earn it.”
BALANCED PRODUCTION
» Outfielder Megan Rose is hitting .458 with a team-high 13 RBIs.
» Third baseman Pattie Reilman has one home run with five RBI and a .733 on-base percentage.
» Cavanaugh has nine runs scored. She is headed to the University of Delaware, and plans to play intramural softball.
