Softball Coach: 'I'm a Nurse First'

Before he can make his way out to the practice field each day, Pikesville High School softball Coach Michael Behrens has to go through his normal end-of-the-day procedure. But what he does to end the day is a little different from others at the school.

“I have to make sure all of my medicines are signed off on and that all of my paperwork is done for the day,” said Behrens, who doubles as the school nurse. “I try my best to be out of the office at 2:30 so that I can be out for the start of practice at 2:45.”

But it isn’t always easy for Behrens, who is in his third year at the school—and his second as its softball coach.

“I’m a nurse first,” said Behrens, who estimated he sees from 25-30 kids every day for various ailments and conditions. "The team knows that I could be late sometimes since there are times when it will get hectic in the office at the end of the day—with kids coming in or if I have to finish some documentation."

And there are times when he's called out of practice and his junior varsity coach is forced to take over.

But when he is finally able to make it out to the field, Behrens’ focus quickly shifts to helping the Panthers build on last year’s 8-10 finish.

Pikesville was forced to replace standout pitcher Julia Erbe, a talented strikeout artist who now plays at Washington College. But it returns several other key players, which has Behrens excited for the season’s potential.

“The majority of the team is back,” Behrens said. “We’ll have some inexperienced pitching, but I’m hoping that’s offset by the fact that we have an outfield that can flat-out fly and can go track down some balls out there.

"And the team hit over .300 last year," he added. "So I’m expecting us to actually hit better than that this season.”

Sophomores Samantha Shapiro and Solomiya Tsymbalyuk will try to replace Erbe on the mound, but Behrens will count on a deep and productive lineup, led by center fielder Abby Molofsky, to guide the way for this year’s Panthers.

Molofsky, a switch-hitter with good speed, was a second-team all-county performer last season.

Behrens said he will also depend on contributions from senior first baseman Jessica Rubin, a three-year varsity player, as well as fellow seniors Ronje’ James (second base/shortstop) and Ty Baxter, who will be making the switch from the outfield to catcher. Freshman third baseman Emily Starobin is also expected to play a key role.

“I think we can definitely hit,” Behrens said.

But the second-year head coach is concerned about the team’s inexperience on the mound and is anxious to see how his two sophomore pitchers progress during the course of the season.

Pikesville fell to Randallstown, 10-5, in its season opener Tuesday.

“I’d love to say we’re going to win every game,” Behrens said. “But realistically, we’re shooting for a better than .500 record. It’s going to be tough because we have some inexperienced pitching, but I’m just hoping to see general improvement throughout the course of the year."