Bulldogs excited about new softball season
By
JOSH RICHERT
Texarkana Gazette
Texarkana College softball is in a position to be a dominant force in their conference, but time and hard work will tell if the Bulldogs are capable of being the best team the school has ever seen.
“We’re very excited; this could be a very special year,” TC’s third-year head coach Leslie Messina said. “We have 20 girls who want to be here and are excited about the possibility of what everyone brings to the team. This is the best team chemistry we’ve had in three or four years. They’re excited, they realize what we can do, and they also know they have to work hard to accomplish what we want to do.”
The Bulldogs return seven sophomores from last season’s Region XIV East Zone championship team, which finished second at the regional tournament with a 33-24 record.
Mix in 13 newcomers and Texarkana College has the most depth since 2004, when the Bulldogs won their first East Zone crown as well as the regional title on its way to nationals.
“We have a very good group of leadership, and they’re really going to set the tone for us,” Messina said. “We also have a lot of freshmen with a lot of talent. That makes this team very balanced and gives us a lot of confidence and the opportunity to do better than ever have.”
Four of those seven returnees were selected by the league coaches to the all-region team last summer.
Pitcher Claire Collom and catcher Jennifer Lynn were first-teamers, and Jolene Addington and Jessica Lynn were named to the second team. Other returnees include outfielder Mindy Woodson, hurler Shea Parker, and Christa Kegerreis. Regan Dunlap is also a sophomore as a transfer.
Collom will be the top prospect in the circle for the Bulldogs, although Messina said she won’t have to rely on her as much as they did her freshman year.
“Claire was first-team all-region last year and will be our No. 1 starter,” the coach said. “She’s managing a leg injury so we won’t overthrow her. Shea Parker had a great fall. She saw a lot more time when Claire wasn’t throwing and really built her confidence up.”
Three of the new faces will also handle the ball for TC, which opens its season today in Gainesville, Texas at North Central Texas College. Kayla Woods, Jessica Upchurch and Dora Buchanan provide a solid group of freshman pitchers for Texarkana College to utilize.
Three of the new faces will also handle the ball for TC, which opens its season today in Gainesville, Texas at North Central Texas College. Kayla Woods, Jessica Upchurch and Dora Buchanan provide a solid group of freshman pitchers for Texarkana College to utilize.
“Kayla will probably be a closer in the beginning until she comes back to game shape and is ready to go all out,” Messina said. “When Dora settles in she’ll be another strong thrower for us, and Jessica will give us some innings, as well. We have an outstanding pitching staff, and we’ll continue to swing the bats very well.”
Addington and the Lynn twins led the team in batting last season with Jennifer garnering a team-high .453 average with seven triples. Addington hit .350, and Jessica Lynn had a .346 average, including .388 against conference opponents.
“Offensively, we’ll be pretty balanced,” Messina said. “We’re going to have three sluggers in the middle of our lineup, and we’ll have some left-handed slappers and bunters so we can manufacture runs and create more opportunities for us.”
Defensive is where the added depth should be the biggest factor for the Bulldogs.
“Twenty people is going to be a lot better than 12,” Messina said. “Those 12 were special and really held it together last year, but depth is going to be a strong point for us because we didn’t have it last year. If one of our starters go down (with an injury) or hits a slump we’ll somebody who can jump right in and help us.”
TC will be two and, sometimes, three deep in every spot on the field.
Dunlap, a transfer from Northeast Texas will occupy first base, along with Upchurch, and Casey Merritt will start at second base. Merritt, as well as Woodson and Jessica and Jennifer Lynn were voted by the team as captains.
Millicent Dickey is the backup second baseman, and Amanda Busby is the starting shortstop.
“Casey just outworks everyone and Amanda just gets the job done and is a very good leader in the infield,” Messina said.
TC has three options at third base. Roxanna Holley is still recovering from a leg injury, Megan White is filling in, and Sarah DeMoss, the backup shortstop, is also helping at the hot corner.
“Roxanna has amazing hands; Megan is very solid and has a strong arm, and Sarah can play at both shortstop and third,” Messina said. “She’s such an offensive threat that we have to find a home for her somewhere on the field.”
Addington will be in left field for Texarkana College, along with Woodson, Jessica Lynn will be in right, and freshman Lynsae McNabb and Leah Landry are competing for the starting centerfield position.
“Jolene’s natural position is in left, and Mindy helped us out in the outfield and she’ll see more time there since she isn’t pitching,” Messina said. “Her swing has really come a long way. Lynsae and Leah are battling it out for centerfield.”
Jennifer Lynn will the starting catcher, and will be spelled by Kegerreis, who had a shoulder injury last season, and Haley Mires.
“How hard we work will be the determinant for how far we can go this season,” Messina said. “It could be a very special year, and I think we will compete not only in our conference, but for the regional title and, hopefully, some wins in Florida at the national tournament.”
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