The sound of outfield chatter, aluminum bats hitting softballs over a huge red wooden fence, and an umpire screaming strike three can only mean one thing: the women’s softball season is almost upon us; so get ready.
Finishing last season 28-25 overall, 13-14 in conference play and making the club’s first trip to the Southland Conference Softball Tournament in four years, the Lady Colonels softball team is ready to build on the success of last season.
Head softball coach Phyllis Guedry said since her team had success last year, they have come in with an excited attitude.
“I think the success that we had late in the year last year has allowed my ladies to come back with a extreme excitement,” Guedry said. “Everybody has come back in shape, from the first to the 20th athlete. They all came back in shape and excited about getting back into the season. They realize that this program can be successful.”
When asked about goals and expectations, Guedry said one goal the team has is to get back to the Conference Tournament.
“One of our goals as a program is to get back to the Conference Tournament,” Guedry said, “As a whole I think that’s definitely workable.”
Guedry will be counting on good outings this season from her pitching rotation, which features players such as sophomore Nichole Wagner, senior Duffi Matherne and juniors Christina Hanson, Kristi Blanchard and Dione Meier. Freshman Brandi Hahn will also contribute this season.
“I feel some of our performers are going to be really successful for us this year, especially our pitching staff; I’m looking for all of them to come in and give us good innings,” Guedry said.
When asked if she has a starting lineup, Guedry said as long as a player can hit she’ll find a place for them.
“We do not have a starting lineup right now. Our defense is as open as open can be. One of the main things the athletes in my program are going to have to do is hit, so we tell them if you hit we’re going to find a place for you to play,” Guedry said, ” We have a lot of young ladies who are ready to play and give us whatever we need.”
“I think with each year as a staff we try to accomplish something, but I think with the success of last year, the athletes saw how close we were. I think that made them work a little harder,” Guedry said.
Guedry will have loads of talent this season. At first base Jamee Henry will be counted on to step up because she brings experience with her 44 starts last season.
At second base Chrissy Jenkins and Linsey Yelverton are the front-runners, but Yelverton, a freshman, can also see time at shortstop.
At the “hot corner,” third base, Kristi Blanchard, Brandi Hahn, Duffi Matherne and Stacy Manning could all end up playing the position.
At catcher this season the Colonels are also deep; Sarah Eads and freshman Kacie Braud are each capable of playing the position.
In the outfield look for Blanchard, Hahn, Matherne and Manning to all at some point field balls for the Colonels.
Look for the Colonels to duplicate the success from last season; so when you come to the games, bring your chatter so the Lady Colonel pitching staff can strike out the opposition’s batter.