Softball looks to improve on down 2010 season as Grodecki takes over as new Head Coach

As the Georgia College softball team prepares to begin its 2011 season, first year Head Coach Jamie Grodecki says the most important thing for her team is to build a mutual trust in each other and build off of the struggles they faced in 2010, when the young Bobcats finished 13-32.

Adjusting to a different philosophy is a common challenge teams face under a first year head coach, and for the Bobcats, this season will be no different.

“Communication is a big thing,” Grodecki said. “The girls have been used to who was here and the way things were, and so we’ve been focusing on getting to know each other, getting to be around each other and building those important relationships. The longer you’re around someone, the more you trust them.”

The Bobcats, who will be looking to improve upon their down season a year ago, will return some talented players along with a strong incoming freshman class.

Three pitchers from the 2010 Georgia College squad return, with junior ace Haley Burnett leading the way. Burnett accounted for nine of the Bobcats 13 wins last season on the mound, had a team-low 4.49 ERA and struck out 105 batters in 154.1 innings of work.

Juniors Caitlin Duvall and Sabrina Chandler also return as pitchers, even though they scarcely saw action on the mound, and freshman Chelsie Huffman should also be seeing some time.

While the injury bug has bitten the Bobcats some in the preseason, they return some key veterans that should help improve their offensive numbers from a year ago. Burnett led the team offensively as well last season, hitting a PBC-eighth best .369 with eight home runs and 31 RBI to go along with nine doubles and a .667 slugging percentage.

Junior Anna Parker returns behind the plate. After missing the first six games in 2010, Parker played and started in the final 39, leading the team in doubles and walks.

Junior infielder Maggie Davis returns to the Bobcats after missing the entire 2010 campaign with an injury.

Senior Brandie Monroe returns as the team’s starting shortstop, and Grodecki said she hopes her offensive numbers can continue to improve.

The Bobcats will also return a pair of senior outfielders in Kati Pickowitz and Lauren Potts.

“I expect their bats and their defense to be pretty strong,” Grodecki said.

The Bobcats also will have plenty of talented freshmen who will be competing for playing time.

“It’s a pretty talented class coming in,” Grodecki said. “I’m confident in them, and I think they will all see a lot of time in the field if not starting most of the games.”

Grodecki said that in order for the Bobcats to improve upon their performance of last season, better offensive production will be essential.

“We plan on hopefully getting those offensive stats up this year,” she said. “That should help us in all aspects on the field. It will be a little less pressure on our pitchers and on the defense as well.”

The Bobcats, who begin their season Feb. 4 with a weekend tournament hosted by Georgia Southwestern, will face plenty of competition in 2011.

“I think we have a good schedule before conference starts to get us ready for it. If we’ve got a good strong schedule, that should help us get better each game,” Grodecki said.

And the Peach Belt Conference schedule won’t be light with teams like powerhouse North Georgia looming.

“Every game is going to be tough. You don’t want to disregard any team or any competition,” Grodecki said. “Obviously it’s a pretty strong conference. So being new to things, I can’t really have a strong opinion about who’s going to be out in front.”

But establishing an identity is what Grodecki hopes to focus on with her team.

“We just need to remember who we are and be proud to be Bobcats,” Grodecki said. “We want to try to represent that on the field with hard work and dedication. You always have to go in expecting that the preparation you put it in will pay off.”

And that’s something the Bobcats are determined to do.

“We made some mistakes last year as a young team, and hopefully, we’ve learned from it in a positive way,” Grodecki said. “We’ve got a mountain to climb, but we’ll climb it, step by step.”