The LH softball team begins its season this weekend with the Forth Worth Christian tournament, where the Cats will be playing six games over the next three days. LH dropped its opener Thursday to Birdville, 7-0.
Coach Kelly Baker said she expects the team to win three or four games this weekend, and has liked what she has seen in practice so far despite limited time due to the weather.
The team lost only two seniors from a squad that made the playoffs in 2009 for the first time in several years, and is feeling very good about repeating that feat.
“This year is different because all the girls have had a taste of winning, which hasn’t happened in the past, and I think they love that winning feeling,” Baker said.
The team has a lot of talent to draw on this year. Erin Brennan was only a freshman last year when she was awarded the District 9-5A Pitcher of the Year title, and returns as the team ace . Across the plate from her will be senior D.J Sandidge, whom Baker expects to bring in a lot of runs this year in addition to solid work behind the plate. She also expects junior Ashley Hudson, sophomore Amanda Beard and freshmen Laura Harmon to bring more offense to the team, which she admits is the biggest area they want to improve on this season.
Coach Baker will be getting a big assist from her assistants this year. She is expecting her first child on March 5th, which just happens to be the start of District 9-5A play. Assistant coach Kim Kromdyk, with help from coach Julie Amabile, will be leading the team while she is out.
Baker doesn’t think that her absence will affect the team’s success.
“I am confident we can accomplish all of our goals with Coach Kromdyk and Coach Amabile leading the way,” Baker said.
The girls will play a non-district game at home Tuesday against R.L. Turner (JV at 5 p.m., varsity at 7 p.m.) and will compete in the Pearce tournament next weekend before starting district play.
