Lady Bulldogs each bring something different to team

With eight returning starters and a deep pitching staff, Quitman Lady Bulldogs coach Stephanie Davis said it should be an exciting season. “There are high expectations for these girls,” Davis said. She is assisted by Halisha Stacy and Steve Lasley. Quitman finished last season 20-4 and 8-0 in conference. The Lady Bulldogs lost in the first round of the state tournament. “We lost in the second round to Poyen. We won our regional and got a bye for the first round,” Davis said. The eight returning starters are sophomores Autumn Johnson, shortstop; Gracie Smith, center fielder; and Lillie Webb, right field; juniors Marley Johnson, pitcher; Emily Williams, third base; and Trinaty Ellington, pitcher; and seniors Aspen Johnson, catcher; and Josey Bradley, left field. Williams, a right-hander, is the best hitter for average, Davis said. “She always finds a way to get on base. She’s got a good eye for the ball.” Autumn Johnson is fast, the coach said. “She can cover a lot of ground at shortstop. She is very smart on the bases and can catch you off guard and steal,” Davis said. Bradley is a right-handed power hitter. “When she gets hold of the ball, you can guarantee it’s going to be hard,” the coach said. “She has a strong bat and always hits the ball so hard, whether it be a ground ball or out of the park.” Smith is the team’s best fielder, and she has a laser arm. “She can catch any ball hit to her in the outfield,” Davis said. “She is always 110 percent with every play. She can lay out and catch a ball, and she can hum it to home on getting a runner out.” Williams has played outfield and infield “and has a cannon,” Davis said. “She could potentially see some time behind the plate this season.” Davis said a team strength is pitching. She has three players who can be counted on for consistent pitching, depending on the opponent: Kassie Rhodes, Marley Johnson and Ellington. “It is hard for me to pick one over the other. They each bring something different to the table. They are all three effective against certain types of teams,” Davis said. “It will benefit us a lot to have such a deep pitching staff.” Davis said there are a plethora of college prospects on the team. Again this year, Davis said, the Bulldogs are in a conference “with a lot of talent and good coaching,” so the can’t-miss games on the schedule are hard to pinpoint. Davis said her expectations for 2018 are to challenge for district and regional championships and make a longer run in the state tournament. “This will be an exciting year for Quitman softball,” she said. “There are high expectations set for these girls. They have the dedication and passion to reach all of the goals they have set.”