Softball: Can Ward help make Quartz Hill a division title contender?

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Heading into its Golden League opener this afternoon against Palmdale, Quartz Hill once again looks like the team to beat in the Antelope Valley. There were some early-season rumors that cross-Valley rival Lancaster or perhaps Paraclete would make a run at the Rebels, but last week’s High Desert Classic proved they are the best team in the land of stealth bombers and high winds.

Of course, having a player as talented as Liz Ward has helped the Rebels’ cause for a fourth consecutive league title. Following last week’s standout performance at the High Desert Classic, Ward is batting .481 with eight RBIs, two home runs and nine runs scored.

And she isn’t alone -- Ward leads up a talented contingent of Rebel hitters who have baffled many local pitchers, so far. Alena Murgatroyd and Karissa Hartwig have also done their part in making Quartz Hill look pretty good in nonleague games.

Unfortunately, they’ll need to do even more if Quartz Hill is to pose a threat to the Beckmans and Charter Oaks of the Division III softball world. Hopefully by May, we’ll see Ward and all the other Rebel rousers prove they’re a legitimate contender for the divisional title.

-- Austin Knoblauch