Newport brings back plenty of experience

Melissa Branch may be a first-year varsity head coach, but she’s no stranger to the Newport Harbor High softball program.

Branch started helping out with the junior varsity team about 12 years ago, she said. Three years ago, she became the head coach on the JV level.

This year, she replaces Zach Reeder, who left after a year.

“It’s been a little difficult keeping head coaches,” said Branch, a Spanish teacher at Newport Harbor who said she still plays softball on co-ed teams. “They were trying to find somebody, and it was easier because I was on campus. I decided I would just take it on and I stepped up to the plate.”

The Sailors (5-4), in turn, step up to the plate with a very experienced team this year. There are seven seniors on the team, including four returning starters, who want to improve on their 3-26 showing of a year ago, including last place in the Sunset League.

Seniors Jane Messersmith and Lauren Talbott both return, and will share both the pitching and shortstop duties. Messersmith was first-team All-Sunset League a year ago, with a 3.20 earned-run average. She struck out 121 batters in 113 2/3 innings. She also led the team with a .413 batting average, seven home runs and 13 RBIs.

Messersmith, who has committed to play at Bucknell, allowed just one run as the Sailors beat Back Bay rival Corona del Mar, 7-1, on March 3.

Talbott has also been pitching well, as she pitched a perfect game against Cabrillo on March 1. Last year, Talbott pitched 52 innings, with a 4.57 ERA. She also batted .246.

“Jane and Lauren have been doing excellent,” Branch said.

Senior outfielder Kristin Bassler, who was another first-team All-Sunset League selection a season ago, also returns. She was second to Messersmith with a .333 batting average last year, adding seven RBIs, and seven stolen bases.

Also back are senior catcher Robin Gautschi, junior Karina Veit, who plays second base and center field, and sophomore third baseman Cheyanne Flores.

Talbott, Messersmith and Gautschi have been starting since their freshman year, and that kind of experience is paying off. The Sailors have already won five games, bettering their total from a year ago.

“They’re starting to come together as a more cohesive unit,” Branch said. “The league we’re in is a difficult league, but I really feel good about this year. We’ve got some wins under our belt, which helps the girls’ confidence level. They’ve grown to understand each other more as players.”

There are a pair of team goals, Branch said: getting more bunts down effectively and winning more games in league. One may lead to the other. But for now, improvement remains good for Branch to see.

“We’re doing very well right now,” she said. “We beat CdM and Costa Mesa already, which is pretty big for us.”

MATT SZABO may be reached at (714) 966-4614 or by e-mail at matthew.szabo@latimes.com.