Eagles prepare for the season
Softball team hopes for an even better 2019
The North Point Eagles softball team is determined to play ball late into May this spring and make a deep run in the postseason at the Class 4A tournament under head coach Tony Jones.
“Our goal is to win as many games as possible to have an opportunity to play for the conference championship and make a deep run in the playoffs,” Jones said.
In the 2018 season, the Eagles finished with an overall record of 13-7 and a Southern Maryland Athletic Conference Potomac Division mark of 10-2.
The Eagles finished the division last year two games behind the La Plata Warriors, who went on to capture the Class 2A state title, a crown that North Point is seeking at the 4A tournament this spring.
Last spring, North Point was upended by South River High School of Anne Arundel County in the 4A East Region Section II final at Severna Park in Anne Arundel County.
In the season-ending loss, the Eagles managed to collect just three hits and fell to South River by a final score of 6-1.
“We had a couple of defensive mistakes and we only got three hits,” Jones said last season after the playoff loss. “[South River] pitcher [Jessica Adams] was really good. She got us to chase a number of her riseballs with two strikes. Katie [Delph] pitched really well. We just didn’t give her a lot of support.”
Jones emphasized that offense and run support will be a determining factor into how much success the Eagles have on the field this spring.
“We should do well if we can hit,” Jones said. “Offense is where we struggle.”
North Point brings back everyone from last season’s team but third basemen Jaelyn Baker, who graduated last spring as the squad’s lone senior.
As a senior, Baker finished the season with a .417 batting average, while collecting 20 hits, 25 RBIs and was an All-SMAC Potomac Division selection.
Players to watch this season, according to Jones, are senior Katie Delph, junior Gabby Cross and junior Maddie Powell.