Schmeiser 'More Comfortable'

Kaitlyn Schmeiser's teammates noticed almost instantly how much difference a year made for their sophomore pitcher. As a freshman she was always a little nervous in the circle, but after leading Northern through the playoffs and to the Maryland 3A title last season, Schmeiser exudes a cool confidence.

"The whole mentality coming in as a freshman was different. I was always scared to disappoint the seniors," Schmeiser said. "It's definitely a lot more comfortable to come in with all those experiences and getting to play with so many of these girls again. I know what to expect."

With the same infielders surrounding her as a year ago, Schmeiser lets herself fall into a rhythm and shuts teams down like she did in a 7-1 win over Leonardtown on Monday, when she struck out 11 straight batters.

The Patriots returned plenty of offensive power, and have scored 52 runs in five games, but they will look to Schmeiser, now the elder stateswoman of the pitching staff, to help anchor the defense as sophomore Danni Cummings and freshman Lindsey Schmeiser, Kaitlyn's sister, make their varsity debuts.

Schedule Is a Bear

Stephanie Speierman has battled poor run support the past two seasons with varying success. As a sophomore in 2007, she struck out a Maryland-record 426 as she led Hammond to the 2A title. Last year, though, the Golden Bears could not get a run against McDonough, and were shut out in the 2A South final.

Last Monday's 7-5 victory over Glenelg, though, might have shaken the Golden Bears unlike any tough defeat the past three years. Glenelg showed, with the help of a couple Hammond errors, it can put the ball in play and get runners around the bases against Speierman, a two-time All-Met who has signed with Michigan. Hammond won its first three games by shutout, as well as Wednesday's 2-0 game against River Hill.

"For the most part, they understand that we need to score a couple of runs to win," Speierman said. "Glenelg has put the ball in play against us for two years now, so it's nothing new."

Hammond will have plenty of chances to face teams that can threaten Speierman. Today, the Golden Bears visit Howard, which has won six straight. On April 23, they host Atholton, last year's 3A runner-up, which beat Hammond, 1-0, last year. Five days after facing Glenelg again on May 1, they close the regular season against perennial power Spalding.

Broadneck Honors Ware

Ceremonies will begin 90 minutes before Broadneck's home game tomorrow against North County to dedicate the Bruins' field in the memory of former coach Jim Ware, who died suddenly last July at 62.

A new scoreboard has already been constructed in left field with "Ware Field" adorning the top. Past players have indicated they will show up, and a several people plan to speak during the pregame proceedings. The team designed T-shirts with the laces of a softball tucked inside a heart and the words "Bruin Pride" above it, and "Ware It," beneath the logo.

"It's not directly on the kids' minds, but I know [tomorrow] it will be," Broadneck Coach Reese Kiple, a former assistant. "They know it's going to be a special day."