(March 22, 2013) Stephen Decatur softball Coach Don Howard was pleased with the Lady Seahawks’ overall performance last Saturday during scrimmages against Snow Hill and Cambridge. But with nine veterans, including six seniors, back on the field for Decatur, he expected nothing less.
“We did a lot of good things, but that was my expectation because we’re a solid veteran team,” said Howard, now in his 35th season as head coach. “We hit the ball well and we fielded decently. We just need to fine-tune and tweak some things.”
With solid pitching and a strong offense, Howard thinks the Seahawks should be competitive in every game they play this season.
Seniors Jessica Iacona and Jessica Bunting and junior Beth Laque will return to the mound. When not pitching, Iacona and Laque will play first base and Bunting second.
Also back to compete from 2012, when the team went 11-9 — the Seahawks fell 6-1 to Reservoir in the 3A East Regional semifinals — are seniors Abbey Schorr (catcher), Amanda Parsons (center field), Liz Brittingham (third)Keeley Marks (outfield/catcher) and juniors Emma Ditzel (outfield) and Taylor Black (short stop).
Rounding out Howard’s 14-player roster are newcomers, juniors Kayla Heinz (third), Erin Summers (outfield), sophomore Hannah Fleming (infield) and freshmen Lauren Laque (second/
outfield) and Hillary Jarman (outfield).
Howard will count on his seniors for leadership this season.
“I hope to lead by example … by hustling, diving for balls, just putting 100 percent into everything,” said Parsons a four-year player. “I think we’re coming along and jelling pretty well.”
With a full view of the field, Schorr, a member of the team since she was a freshman, considers the catcher the “quarterback” of the team. She hopes to be a leader and encourage her teammates.
“I think it’s going to be a fun season. I’m ready for it,” she said. “This could be our year if we put our minds to it. We just have to go out there, practice hard, play hard and we’ll see were it goes.”
