The Colonels’ softball team will look to the mound for softball veterans, such as pitchers Lacey Gros and Audrey Wood, in hopes for a successful season.Returning senior pitchers Gros and Wood will handle most of the duties on the mound but will get some help from junior college transfer Carlee Winkelmann and freshman Ashton Bennent.
Seeing playing time behind the plate are two freshmen, Jackie Burri and Katie Holmes.
“Katie Holmes and Jackie Burri are two freshmen catchers that have come a long way,” head coach Jenny Parsons said. “They still have some learning to do, but they’re working hard, they’re athletic and they get better every time we practice or play. As far as our returning pitchers, we have Lacey Gros and Audrey Wood, who were two of the best pitchers in the conference last year. They keep us in ball games and give us an opportunity to win every game that they’re in.”
Gros played in 45 games for the Colonels, starting 40 of them in the circle last season. Gros accumulated a 16-16 mark pitching, ranking second in the conference during the regular season with 259 strikeouts and a 1.69 ERA. Gros had 28 complete games, one save and seven shutouts and claimed All-Southland Conference Second Team honors for her efforts.
Wood will see playing time at pitcher and outfield positions this season. Wood finished last season 14-9 in the circle with a 2.35 ERA. Wood made 15 starts, had 27 appearances and struck out 90 batters.
Burri caught for the East Central Hornets in Hurley, Miss. for four years. Burri was awarded with MVP honors in the Mississippi All-Star game, and she received All-District honors in 2008 and 2009.
Holmes was a three-time letterman at Millard West in Omaha, Neb. Holmes batted .333 for her career and garnered All-District honors as a senior.
“We’ve had some really good games and played some really good competition in which our pitchers were able to keep us in the game,” Parsons said. “They succeed in different areas, and they’re improving every time they go out. Some of them have had bad performances, but other than that, they’ve given us an opportunity to win the game.”
Winkelmann pitched Blinn Community College to a 56-11 record in 2009. Winkelmann was named a Louisville Slugger, NFCA and NJCAA All-American as a sophomore.
Bennett was named All-District all four years for the Doyle High School Tigers and took home District MVP honors in 2008 and 2009. Bennett was selected to the All-State team in 2008 and 2009.
“Carlee Winkelmann understands what it takes to pitch in a big game. She pitched in the Junior College World Series, and Ashton Bennett, being a freshman, is gaining a lot of experience. Bennett is really talented and mixes her speeds really well,” Parsons said.
The Colonels will take on Central Arkansas this weekend in a three-game series with the first game Friday at 4 p.m.
