Team upbeat despite obstacles

Veteran leadership is always important to the success of any program, but that may mean more to this year’s Georgia College & State University softball team as the Lady Bobcats take to the diamond for the first time without Head Coach Windy Thees, who left the school in January to accept a similar position at the University of Memphis.

Assistant Coach Ginger Miller has been named the Interim Head Coach, and she will rely on a solid cast of eight returning players and seven newcomers to carry on the success of the Lady Bobcats.

GC&SU went 33-18 (12-8 PBC) and was ranked in the national top twenty-five poll most of the year

The team graduated four seniors from last year’s team, including three-time All-Peach Belt Conference centerfielder Joni Frei (.291, 7 HR, 28 RBI) and second baseman Ashley Blanton (.264, 6 HR, 15RBI) and now have only two seniors on this year’s squad.

GC&SU has a strong pitching staff as senior Brook Harrison (9-7, 1.87 ERA) returns along with sophomore Jenna Kubesch (19-4 1.47 ERA). Freshman Libby Kidd joins the staff and will be expected to see a lot of innings.

The other half of the battery will be filled by junior Heather Jones (.246, 16 RBI) and freshman Shelbie Lindsey. Jones can also play first or third base or serve as the designated player when not penciled in at a fielding position. Lindsey showed in the fall that she could handle any of the pitchers on staff and she will see plenty of time behind the dish.

Third base could be filled by several players including sophomore Nikki Smith, Heather Jones and freshman Brianna Hope. Smith batted .263 as a freshman and will see more time at the hot corner if she can be consistent with the glove. Hope has good range and a strong arm, which will allow her to battle for a starting spot at third as well.

Junior Diana Baruffa returns at shortstop after earning All-Peach Belt Conference and All-Region honors in 2004. Baruffa led the team with a .410 batting average while collecting 10 doubles and 33 RBIs. She will once again be counted on for production near the top of the lineup and is a solid defensive player.

Second base will have a new face with the loss of Blanton. Freshman Ashley Payne can play the middle infield position and emerged as a strong candidate at second base last fall. She will push for time with Nikki Smith and freshman utility player Casey Allen.

First base will likely be occupied by Jones, when not catching,?or Kubesch, when not pitching. Both players were consistent defensively and strengthen the team just by having their bats in the lineup.

In the outfield, junior Aundrea Baker (.346, 4 HR, 20 RBI) returns for her third season in left field after another productive season in 2004. Her defensive play continues to improve, and her speed will once again be counted on near the top of the lineup.

Vying for the other spots in the outfield will be senior Kristen Rutledge,?junior Holly Steele, sophomores Erica Usry and Ashley Bagwell, and freshman Casey Allen.

GC&SU expects to battle with the best in the Peach Belt Conference in the hopes of returning to the NCAA Tournament.

The mix of veteran leadership and exuberant young players have the coaching staff hopeful that 2005 will be another season to remember for the Lady Bobcats.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 11 2005. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry