Athens Softball

[NYBuckeye96]

From today's Athens Messenger.....

Athens softball looks to build off of 2008 success

By TROY BOLIN
Special to The Messenger
Published: Thursday, March 26, 2009 1:38 AM EDT

Sitting on a beach somewhere like Daytona or Cancun and sipping on a Pina Colada would make almost anyone the happiest person in the world.

But Athens head softball coach Sheila Ross doesn’t need to be soaking up the sun at some far away spring break destination to make her feel good these days.

The former softball star who was named all-league and all-district as a player for Athens in 1989, and was a member of the first Bulldogs softball team to ever win a district title, has plenty to be excited about with this year’s team that is stacked with talent and experience. With all her players back except two — from a team that went 15-10 last season — everyone involved with the Athens softball program, including Ross, believing this year’s team has the opportunity to achieve great things.

The Bulldogs had a very successful 2008 and were part of a four-way dogfight for the division title with Warren, Marietta and Logan up until the last regular season game. But this year brings a whole new challenge for Athens as they are set to compete in the Tri-Valley Conference Ohio Division for the first time.

“We have some high expectations for this team,” said Ross before a Tuesday afternoon practice. “The girls have placed it on themselves, I have placed it on them, but most of all they just want an improvement from last year.

“The girls have set some goals for themselves, and so far they have been working very hard to reach those goals,” Ross added. “We won 15 games last year competing in the (Southeastern Ohio Athletic League), and with all our players back but two, hopefully we can improve even more this spring playing in the TVC-Ohio.”

Improvement seems likely for the green and gold with almost the entire roster back for another year. The group includes five seniors, nine juniors and one freshman, Abby Pomento, who was brought up to the varsity to add depth to an already talented rotation.

“We’re kind of in a blessed position with our pitching staff,” said Ross. “We have more than one girl that can pitch and win games for us. Three of the pitchers are juniors, who were all on the team last season, and we have the one freshman who can pitch as well.

“Jayne Seymour, Sarah Daugherty and Cara Detty were three very good pitchers last year, and with another year under their belts, they should be even better this season,” Ross added.

A lot of success, when it comes to area softball teams, can be achieved if there is just one really good player in the pitcher’s circle. Having four pitchers on the roster with the capability to win games is a major plus and a big-time advantage for Ross and the Bulldogs.

That kind of depth is the type of thing that can help win championships or carry a team far in the tournament. Either one is definitely in the realm of possibility for this year’s Athens softball team — and capturing the TVC-Ohio title on the first try is something Ross, who favored the league switch, could be proud of for years to come.

“I really liked the league change,” said Ross when asked about joining the TVC-Ohio. “I like the local rivalries. I like that we will be able to go and know the players we're playing against and be able to compete with them day in and day out. And of course I like the fact that there will be a lot less travel time involved playing teams closer to home.”

With a new league and different teams to face with a higher level of importance compared to last year’s schedule, adjustments will for sure have to be made by Ross and the players.

“The biggest difference in leagues really is we are not quite knowledgeable about the teams and players as opposed to the last couple of years,” said Ross. “The schedule is similar, but instead of playing a Meigs or Wellston once, we will now be facing them twice.

“The pitching match-ups will change as well with the focus of having our best scheduled to face teams from the TVC-Ohio instead of the SEOAL,” Ross added. “We are still going to play almost all the SEOAL teams except Zanesville which gives us a great non-league schedule.”

The Bulldogs will start the season by diving right into league play with a game at home against Nelsonville-York on March 31st then follow with another TVC-Ohio match-up at Wellston versus the Golden Rockets on Thursday April 2nd.

[93Bulldog]

wow .. what a great article! .........

[Steely Dan]

Yes, well done !!!!!