HARTSVILLE - The Hartsville varsity softball team is young but is looking to capitalize on pre-season success as they look toward play against a series of tough region opponents.
Head Coach Bobby Sowell said the team began preparing for this season as soon as school let out last year. The team hit the weight room through the summer and fall and also played in high school leagues. They also played in tournaments with many players participating on a team that won the WFC South Carolina State championship, Sowell said.
“This team has worked extremely hard since last season,” he said. “One thing that I think warrants mentioning is this team will be playing in a tournament at The Walt Disney World Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla., during their spring break. The players, coaches and parents worked various fundraisers to cover the cost of the trip.”
The team made the playoffs last season and lost in the first round of district competition.
Pitching, of course, is key in this sport, and handling the starting duties will be sophomores Kaitlin Jones and Michael Gainey (both will also play the field when not pitching), whom he characterized as control pitchers.
Defense is still a work in progress with decision making being more of an issue than actual fielding. In the field, three seniors include Lanie Brisben at first base, Skylar Pate at third base and Meredith Carpenter in left field. Sophomores include Jordan Bizzell at shortstop. A freshman, Morgan Howle, will play left field.
Eighth graders include Marilyn Smith at center field, Katie Parker at catcher and Madeline Smith at second base. Logan Andrews and Emily Williamson will also see playing time.
“Our offense is going to be our strong suit this year,” Sowell surmised. Bizzell and Brisben provide the most power, showing the pop to “go yard.” They combined for five home runs in pre-season action. Pate gets on base often, as do Jones and Gainey.
Sowell said the team needed to stay mentally strong to win and not to get down if they got behind or made mistakes. They’ll have to play tough, considering the region has produced the state champions and lower state champions for six years running. Hartsville last won region in 2003. Sowell said they would take it one game at a time with hopes to lead region at season’s end.
“They have renewed my excitement about the game and about working with a group of young ladies that have their eye on the prize and are committed to working hard to achieve it,” Sowell said.
Red Fox Softball Team
Seniors
Lanie Brisben
Meredith Carpenter
Skylar Pate
Junior
Logan Andrews
Sophomores
Jordan Bizzell
Michael Gainey
Kaitlin Jones
Freshmen
Morgan Howle
Emily Williamson
Eighth Graders
Katie Parker
Madeline Smith
Marilyn Smith
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