2010 Girls Softball Preview (with Team Capsules)
John Carlisle is entering his fifth year at the helm of the Baker softball program and, despite capturing its third straight district crown a year ago, Carlisle believes this year’s team could be the best yet.
“Talent-wise, this is one of the best, if not the best, that we’ve had in the five years I’ve been here,” Carlisle said. “I really feel good about the talent that we have. We’ve got a good mix of older girls and then we also have a good mix of younger girls that are going to be able to play.”
Such optimism abounds throughout the area as a new season gets underway today, with high schools opening regular-season play throughout the next two weeks.
Baker, coming off of a 15-11 season that also saw the Gators reach the Class 2A regional semifinals, returns the bulk of its roster including All-Area selections Lauren Griffith, Brittney Kilpatrick, Tuesdae Middlebrooks, Mollie Royal, Victoria Kilcrease and Danielle Mayhair. With just two starters having graduated from last year’s team, the staring lineup is pretty well set for Carlisle, though the Gators coach concedes his group hasn’t proven anything yet.
“It’s very comforting to know when you look out there — on paper — you don’t have any holes,” Carlisle said. “You don’t play games on paper … I just like what we have.”
South Walton coach Phil Tisa is similarly opportunistic about a Seahawks team that returns pitching ace and reigning Daily News small school Player of the Year Shelby Watson.
“It’s exciting, but at the same time you don’t want it to end as a coach,” Tisa said of his senior pitcher. “It’s been nice to know you have that constant going out there every game.”
Joining Watson are experienced players such as Isabelle Lara, Stephanie Gold, Caitlin Holliday and Mackenzie Watson, giving South Walton a tested core as it enters a newly configured District 2-2A in search of a third consecutive district title. The Seahawks reached the regional semifinals in each of the past two seasons.
Navarre is looking to continue its run of postseason appearances under the direction of first-year coach Scott Murphy. Returnees such as Emily Pettigrew, Bri Risner and Kelly Hayes offer a strong collection of players to lead the latest charge toward a title.
“They want to win and they work to win,” Murphy said. “They’re workaholics. I expect us to go out there and have fun and we’ll be successful.”
Locally, few programs have been as successful for as long as Niceville, where Danny Hensley’s Eagles are once again poised for a deep postseason run. With just two seniors having graduated from last year’s 5A regional finals participant, the pieces appear in place.
“It’s a good group of kids that are well-driven,” Hensley said. “We’ve got good talent but that’s not the key to our ballclub. A lot of teams in our district and in our area have talent. I think our kids just have the chemistry to go along with the work ethic and the determination. Hopefully, that is what will ultimately prevail for us.”
It doesn’t hurt that Niceville returns the likes of Meagan Balding, Jessa Watts and Kelly Hensley, the latter of which enters her senior year as the reigning Daily News big school Player of the Year.
In Class A, Rocky Bayou Christian is in rebuilding mode following last year’s regional quarterfinal appearance. Coach Lynn Holcomb has been pleased with early indications as Haley Johnson, Brittany Tiller and Emily Wilson have wasted little time in grabbing control of a young Knights’ dugout.
“We are realizing that we are rebuilding, but we are excited about the future,” Holcomb said.
Baker
Coach: John Carlisle
District: 1-2A
District opponents: Freeport, Jay, Northview, Ponce de Leon
Athletes returning: Lauren Griffith, Brittney Kilpatrick, Kaylee Bradley, Tuesdae Middlebrooks, Christine Wells, Danielle Marelli, Carly Barton, Mollie Royal, Victoria Kilcrease, Danielle Mayhair
Others to watch: Laurie Steele, Macie Wilde, Holly Stanley
Athletes lost: Jessica Gilmore, Carrie Dunning
Choctawhatchee
Coach: Brooke Faile
District: 1-4A
District opponents: Gulf Breeze, Pensacola, Washington, West Florida Tech
Athletes returning: Michelle Eubanks, Jennifer Vachoun, Morgan Brazel, Hannah Boutwell, Kendall Burket, Kiersten Denny, Evelynn Hardin, Shelby Carroll
Others to watch: Taylor Campbell
Athletes lost: None reported
Crestview
Coach: Amy MacNicol
District: 2-5A
District opponents: Fort Walton Beach, Mosley, Niceville
Athletes returning: Courtney Adams, Angel Andrews, Elizabeth Bass, Sara Cadenhead, Hannah Day, Lauren Estep, Shelby Gainer, Morgan Goshorn, Kayleigh Jones, Brittany Kelch, Myah LeGrande, Jacey Sanders
Others to watch: None reported
Athletes lost: None
Fort Walton Beach
Coach: Andrea Browning
District: 2-5A
District opponents:Crestview, Mosley, Niceville
Athletes returning: Jennifer Phillips, Briana DeGennaro, Jaime Phillips, Lauren Correia, Savannah Henry, Rachel Ryan, Ashley Enzer
Others to watch: Brandee Reyna, Rachael Dehlinger
Athletes lost: Macey Morgan, Lentaya Gibson
Freeport
Coach: Charles Trotman
District: 1-2A
District opponents: Baker, Jay, Northview, Ponce de Leon
Athletes returning: Jordan Howell, Dannica Mosher, Jesse Moulton, Amanda Bates, Alyssa Duross, Kayla Eldridge, Taylor Mills, Taylor Taunton, Amanda Dawkins, Kayla Wright, Megan Seibert, Reba Blythe
Others to watch: Alix Lopez, Vicki McCormick, Bethanie Pearman, Sara Duross, Rani Simmons
Athletes lost: Curstin Buford, Joslyn King
Laurel Hill
Coach: Scott Varnum
District: 1-A
District opponents: Bethlehem, Central, Paxton, Poplar Springs, Rocky Bayou Christian
Athletes returning: Brittany Baggett, Jessica Gortman, Elizabeth Delduca, Kasey Harrison, Lauren Gordon, Jessica Thorton, Amanda Bailey
Others to watch: None reported
Athletes lost: Kate Free, Rachel Sorry, Deidra Harrison, Sabina Dickinson, Amanda King
Navarre
Coach: Scott Murphy
District: 1-5A
District opponents: Escambia, Milton, Pace, Pine Forest, Tate
Athletes returning: Emily Pettigrew, Bri Risner, Kelly Hayes
Others to watch: None reported
Athletes lost: None reported
Niceville
Coach: Dan Hensley
District: 2-5A
District opponents: Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Mosley
Athletes returning: Kelly Hensley, Meagan Balding, Karen Starnes, Jessa Watts, Carrie Laird, Shannon Brinkley, Haley Early, Correen Smith, Tori Chapel, Ocatavia Turner, Stephanie Hartness
Others to watch: Kaylan Davis, Lauren Donaldson, Chan Wilson
Athletes lost: Missy Milligan, Taylor Tiahart
Paxton
Coach: Laurie Gilbert
District: 1-A
District opponents: Bethlehem, Central, Poplar Springs, Rocky Bayou Christian
Athletes returning: Emily Smith, Kristyn Geiselman, Susie Thomas, Chantel McCormick, Taylor McClellan, Kappi Stewart, Jessie Oglesby, Chelsea Kemp, Lauren Pool, Shelby Oglesby, Leah Infinger, Chrissy Currid, Jocelyn Hunt
Others to watch: Brittany Kimmons, Shakira Dixon
Athletes lost: Lillie Dixon
Rocky Bayou Christian
Coach: Lynn Holcomb
District: 1-A
District opponents: Bethlehem, Central, Laurel Hill, Paxton, Poplar Springs
Athletes returning: Emily Wilson, Corey Sober, Hailey Johnson, Brittany Tiller, Hannah Nelson, Rachel Johnson
Others to watch: Samantha Holcomb
Athletes lost: Jasmine Jacquay, Allison van de Voorde, Crystal Farmer, Hillary Moore
South Walton
Coach: Phil Tisa
District: 2-2A
District opponents: Blountstown, Bozeman, Graceville, Holmes County, Sneads, Vernon
Athletes returning: Shelby Watson, Isabelle Lara, Stephanie Gold, Caitlin Holliday, Caitlin Carpenter, Mackenzie Watson, Megan MacLeod
Others to watch: Courtney Glenn, Julie Williamson, Sam Snider, Courtney Degroat, Laurel Pletz, Courtney Wright, Allison Stroop, Kristy Potter, Alex McManus
Athletes lost: Caroline Peterson, Chelsea Infinger
Walton
Coach: Stan Bosenberg
District: 1-3A
District opponents: Arnold, Bay, Chipley, Marianna, Pensacola Catholic
Athletes returning: Shannon Bell, Shelbie Standland, Emily Davis
Others to watch: Cassidy Contreras, Treasa Herndon, Kaylyn Douglass
Athletes lost: Devin Richardson, Shannon Currie, Emily Coutcher
