Lady Dragons must overcome inexperience
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, April 2, 2008
PROCTORVILLE — Instead of the movie “Babes in Toyland,” first-year coach Glenn Dillon is watching “Babes in Fairland.”
The Lady Dragons new softball coach has a team with just one senior and only two returning starters.
“We are a young team. We’re looking forward to an exciting season with a great group of girls with good attitudes,” said Dillon.
A key to any team is pitching and the Lady Dragons only pitcher with any experience is junior Mackenzie Rucker with three innings of work last season.
Also expected to get work are senior Whitney Boster and Amber Bias, a freshman.
“We have three pitchers with Rucker being the only one with high school pitching.
Boster and Bias will also see time pitching,” said Dillon.
Rucker will handle the catching duties with Bias slated to do most of the pitching.
Traci Ryder will be at first base with Boster at third. Up the middle will be Stormi Spitzer at second base and Sarah Simms at shortstop.
Across the outfield will be Shelby Fuller in left, Keri Pinkerman in center and Kathleen Blatt in right.
Also expected to see playing time are Leigh Anne Evans at third base or the outfield, catcher and outfielder Erin Ward, and outfielders Lexi Simpkins and Kate Blankenship.
“Overall, the girls are working hard to be competitive,” said Dillon.
“With this being my first year coaching with my wife Holly Dillon as my assistant we are trying to focus on fundamentals and making sure the girls have an exciting experience and building on our future.”