PRINCETON — Head coach Tressie Hamm and assistant coach Stephen Zeigler have been busy preparing the Princeton team for the upcoming softball season. Unfortunately, many of their practices have been confined to the batting cage at Hunnicutt Field.
To date, the harsh winter weather conditions have made the playing fields unsuitable for full-scale practices.
The season home opener is scheduled for March 17 against Greenbrier East at 5 p.m.
Other early season home games are scheduled against Capital and Woodrow Wilson on March 19 and March 22, respectively.
The first away game is slated against Hurricane on March 18. A road game is scheduled versus St. Albans on March 24.
“With only one senior on the team, this is a young squad dominated by juniors,” Hamm said. “I am encouraged by the team’s positive attitude and enthusiasm.”
Early on, it appears that a team strength may be pitching, with juniors Kayla Lafferty and Courtney Karnes on the mound.
The coaches are hopeful that some strong hitters will soon emerge.
Below are coach Hamm’s nutshell comments about the team members.
SENIORS
• Kayla Kline is the team’s lone senior. Hamm said she has a great attitude, is team captain, and a team leader as well as being a three-year starter. In the past, Kline has played in the outfield, but this season she will be the catcher. She was not in the team photograph because she was attending a college-level class. She was a member of the soccer team last fall.
JUNIORS
• Mandi Asbury will share playing time at second base and center field with Whitney Hill. Asbury is a good bunter and slap hitter.
• Brittany East will start the season on the junior varsity team.
• Whitney Hill will split time at second and center field with Mandi Asbury. Hill was the team’s leadoff batter last season. She has a good eye at the plate and is a good hitter. She also plays soccer.
• Britini Hurst will share duty at left field will Tori Richards. Hurst has good speed.
• Courtney Karnes is a strong pitcher, as well as a strong hitter.
• Kayla Lafferty will be the team’s chief pitcher and is a team leader. An excellent hitter, Kayla may see action at third base when she is not on the mound.
• Kelsey Lane will mark her first season on the varsity team. She has been groomed to play first base. She is also a soccer player.
• Taylor Mack is eager to play third base and knows the position.
• Brandi Moore has played both second and third base in the past. This season, she will be the team’s shortstop. She has a good arm and is a hustler. Brandi is an excellent bunter. Brandi plays soccer in the fall.
• Tori Richards will share playing left field with Britini Hurst. She is very quick.
SOPHOMORES
• Destiny Burdette will start the season with the junior varsity team.
• Amber DeWeese will probably start the season on the junior varsity squad. Last season, Amber saw limited action on the varsity.
• Sarah Jarrells will start the season on the junior varsity team.
• Rae Manning will be platooned in right field with Alana Stanley and Rachel Garrett. Manning, who has excellent speed, will serve as the team’s courtesy runner for pitchers and catchers.
• Alana Stanley will share right-field duties will Rae Manning and Rachel Garrett.
FRESHMEN
• Autumn Bullins will start the season on the junior varsity team.
• Rachel Garrett will split time with Rae Manning and Alana Stanley in right field. Garrett has a strong arm and is the team’s backup catcher.
• Brianna Jarvis will start the season the junior varsity squad.
- • Tabitha Pennington will start the season on the junior varsity team.
