Neisha Eure; Salem’s Premier Base Stealer
Coach Jason Barefoot knows that he has a good thing going this year. He comes to the head of the Salem Sun Devils varsity softball team from a football background, but Barefoot recognizes potential when he sees it. “Now is the time to do it if we’re going to break out in the Beach District,” he explains.
Barefoot’s optimism is well-founded. The Sun Devils’ infield is as strong as it has ever been. There is a strong cadre of seniors who have gained enough know-how through the years for Salem to make a good showing this year. “Experience-wise, this is one of Salem’s better years,” explains Barefoot. “My goal is for the team to win the district title this season. I’d also like to see as many individual honors in the All-Beach District teams.”
Specifically, there are several players who will help lead the Sun Devils to a successful season in 2006. Christina Whichrowski, who plays first base, is one of the seniors who comprise Salem’s sturdy infield this season. Additionally, Kendra Knight is certainly one of the best pitchers in the Beach District. Her fastball has been clocked at nearly 70 mph, good enough to have her named to the second all-district team as a freshman.
Seventeen-year-old senior Neisha Eure is another anchor of the Sun Devils’ infield. She plays second base and is particularly quick with her hands. Eure’s feet are likewise speedy, allowing her to move quickly to the ball and frustrate runners who hope to make it on base. On offense, her speed has made her one of Salem’s premier base-stealers. Eure’s athletic ability has earned her recognition. In addition to being named Salem’s “Offensive Player of the Year” in 2005, she was also named to the second team all-Beach District. “This year my goal is to make first team,” she says confidently.
Offense is an area on which Eure spends a great deal of time perfecting her technique. That is just one area in which she displays her versatility. She makes sure to include the standard swings so that her offense is effective. “I want to be able to hit it over the opponents’ heads,” she says. But Eure also likes to focus on special situations. “I also practice bunting and flapping because those can throw the other team off and confuse them.”
Outside of Salem, Eure plays in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) softball league. In fact, she attributes much of her current success to the coaching she received in the many years she has spent there. “The coaches I’ve had in the past have probably had the biggest influence on my performance,” she explains. “Greg Hodgkins was with me since the twelve and under league and Howie Bryant is my current coach. Those men have taught me a lot about the game.”
Eure strongly agrees with her coach about the strengths of the team in 2006. “We have a really good infield. Our defensive skills are good.” But she also recognizes that there are always areas for improvement. “I think we need to focus on using offense to our advantage. It is so frustrating to end an inning when there are a few people on base who don’t get to score.”
Because of Eure’s contributions, as well as those of her teammates, Barefoot has put much practice time into defending the short game. The strength of Kendra Knight’s arm will likely lead opponents to use an offensive tactic that can counter her fastball: the bunt. “We need to make especially sure that we’re ready to play good ball in the infield,” Barefoot explains. “Then if we can have the offense generating runs behind good infield play, we should do very well.”
Like Eure, many of the Sun Devils play in the AAU outside of the season in addition to varsity, a fact that Barefoot finds extremely encouraging. “There are several on the team who are really devoted to playing club ball,” explains Barefoot. “My challenge is to bring that enthusiasm to varsity softball.” And for a few lucky ones, softball is an avenue to college.
With Barefoot’s perceptive eye for athletics and the softball team’s talent, the Sun Devils’ season is sure to be a success.
