Softball team tops CSU in PBC Preseason poll

     The GCSU Lady Bobcats softball team is off to another promising year with a preseason ranking of first in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) and sixth in the nation. The team went 45-13 last year, won the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regional Tournament and went to nationals for the second time since 2003.  This year, the biggest challenge for the Lady Bobcats is replacing some of the key players they lost from last season.
     “We’re looking for some of the younger girls to step up this year,” said head coach Ginger Miller.  “The trick is to try to replace people but maintain the same camaraderie.”
     The coaching staff is expecting to see freshman left-fielder Allison Schwimer fill the shoes of Aundrea Baker, and also hopes to see sophomore infielders Chelsea Wilson and Elyse Smith step up to replace Diana Baruffa and Heather Jones.
     Despite their losses in personnel, the Lady Bobcats will be returning a total of 13 lettermen.  The key players to watch will be senior third basemen All-American and PBC Player of the Year Keidra Baitey, her second team All-Region sister Baruffa in centerfield, and second team All-Region sophomore pitcher Mandy Chandler.  The Lady Bobcats will also be returning junior pitcher Libby Kidd, who led the conference in wins last year with a record of 21 wins and only nine losses.
     “We try to practice like we play in a game,” Kidd said.  “Our whole focus this year is getting to nationals.”
     The players weren’t the only ones who received honors last year. Head coach Ginger Miller and assistant coaches Mandy Harris and Kristin Hughes were named the Speedline/National Fastpitch Coaches Association South Atlantic Region Coaching Staff of the Year last June.  The staff sometimes hosts movie nights or takes the team bowling to encourage bonds between teammates.
     “These girls work really hard,” Miller said.  “Every once in a while we try to break the routine and let loose a little bit…but not too much!”
     Although Miller was not in charge of the 2003 team, the players still believe the program is heading in the right direction.
     “It’s been all uphill since I got here,” junior catcher Shelby Lindsey said.  “We have a very personable coaching staff and we believe they truly are making us better.”
     The team faces a tough schedule which features six ranked teams, two of which are in the top 15 nationally.  The first conference game will be at home against Columbus State Feb. 14 at 1 p.m.  Columbus State defeated the Lady Bobcats in the PBC Championship last year and is currently ranked second in the PBC and 12th in the nation.  The Bobcats have been working hard in preparation for Columbus State.
     “The only way to win is to outwork everyone else,” Chandler said.  “I was hurt a lot last year, so this year we are going to stay healthy and come out stronger every game.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 9 2007. 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