Preparations for the high school softball season began over the past week as each local team started official practice for the 2014 season.
Each team in Gordon County is coming into the season with their program at different places.
The Calhoun Lady Jackets are opening 2014 feeling pretty good about themselves after winning their first-ever state championship last fall to go along with their second straight region title. Both of those came in Class AA, but they will be surrounded by new challengers this year as they move up a class to compete in Region 6-AAA.
The Sonoraville Lady Phoenix hope to take another step with their program after earning a state playoff berth last year. They return all but one senior as they look to make it two straight trips to the postseason.
Gordon Central’s biggest goal is to improve after a disappointing campaign last fall as they were victorious only five times. The Lady Warriors have a lot of their core back as well as they lost just two seniors from last year’s team.
Below is a preview capsule and some thoughts from each of the three head coaches:
CALHOUN
Head Coach: Diane Smith (29th season) Last year’s record (postseason results): 33-6, 16-0 region (won Class AA State Championship) Key departures: Alyssa Shawgo, Wimberly Roe Key players: Kinsey Liscio (Jr., pitcher), Taylor Kelly (Sr., shortstop), Raleigh Fitch (Sr., catcher), Ashlyn Barnes (Soph., first base/outfield), Emily Weatherman (Jr., second base), Jana Johns (Soph., third base), Ryan Brzozoski (Soph., outfield), Allie Jones (Soph., outfield) Three questions for the coach:
1. How much does winning a state championship raise expectations even more for the program and put a target on your back?
“There’s always been a tar- get on our back, but there definitely is one now. Our goal as always is to win that state championship. The girls are so excited. They’ve all played ball this summer, and they’ve come back and told me they were so excited about starting high school ball. They were ready for their summer ball to be over. That’s a change compared to years ago. Everyone was all about travel ball. Now, they’re so excited about playing for their school and representing Calhoun and the community and playing with the people they’ve grown up with. They said that it’s just more exciting. They saw last year what happens when you win a state championship in Calhoun. The people come out and support you. The night we came home from Columbus, the crowd that was here to greet us. They’ve never experienced anything like it, and they want to go through that again.” -Smith 2. What are the keys for your team in order to have a successful season?
“Naturally, you’ve got to do the little things, all the routine plays. And anybody knows coaching a bunch of girls, we’re going to try to keep drama away. But this is a good group of girls. We had no problems last year, and I don’t anticipate any this year. They know it takes all of us. We’ve got a total of 30 girls with JV and varsity, and they’re all pretty good little ball players. They’re all out there trying to earn a position, and so every day there’s going to be somebody out there battling and trying to take your position. Competition is great. It keeps you on your toes.” -Smith
3. What is your overall outlook and expectations for this team?
“My expectations are high. They always are and always have been. We want to go back to Columbus. We want to win the region championship, and go out there and take it one game at a time. I want to win every game. Our scrimmage game we’re playing, I know it doesn’t count, but I want to win it. I want to win all the JV games. I want to see the girls go out there and do the very best you can do, hustle, support your teammates and have fun. I think we’ll be fine because we definitely have the talent. But at the same time, I don’t want them to think they’re automatically going to be the state champions because they were last year. Things happen. We’ve got to stay injury free. We can’t afford to get sick. We’ve got to stay out of trouble. We’ve got to go out there, play ball and hopefully it will turn out like it’s supposed to.” -Smith
SONORAVILLE
Head Coach: Chad Hayes (third season) Last year’s record (postseason results): 13-21, 10-6 region (lost to Buford in first round of Class AAA State Tournament) Key departures: Emily Pruitt Key players: “With senior pitcher, Lily Hayes, likely out 4-6 weeks with a torn meniscus and Junior Erin Whitlock’s injured shoulder, we are down two AllRegion players to start the season. Sophomore Thaley Jackson will have to step up at pitcher, senior Alie Beasley at second base, junior Abby Connally at shortstop, sophomore Baylee Blaylock at catcher, junior Blair Robinson in the outfield and freshman Harleigh Chastain also in the outfield.” -Hayes Three questions for the coach:
1. How much momentum did making state playoffs last year create for the program this preseason and moving into the regular season?
“I think it created a lot of momentum. We had a great turnout for spring and summer workouts. Our youth camp also had a great turnout in June. Anytime you make it to State it creates a positive buzz around the program. We ramped up our early season tournament