|
This year’s varsity baseball team has 20 players on its roster leaving it with plenty of depth, an asset for any athletic endeavor. Comparatively, the varsity softball fields 12 players, just three more than the required nine to play a game.
The absence of a sizeable bench can be credited to the loss of several ‘09 graduates and junior Carolyn Andrew, who is currently spending the year abroad in France.
“We do not have many new players, but we have old players playing in new positions,” said senior Nicole Norton. “Despite our small roster, I think this year we are a very well-rounded team in all aspects of the game.”
The lack of depth has not been entirely detrimental for the softball team, as it has created a close-knit group of players that enjoy playing the game together.
“Having only 12 players on varsity only brings our team closer together,” said senior Hannah Wright. “We all depend on each other for support and having such a small team keeps everyone accountable.”
Helping lead the team, despite its limited roster, to a 3-2 (0-0) start as of March 24 is sophomore pitcher Camille Richard, who has struck out 15 hitters in the first three games of the season.
In addition to her prominence on the pitching mound, Camille is also a very competent batter.
“Camille is obviously a great pitcher, but she is a great hitter too who almost always finds a way to get on base,” Nicole said.
Lisa Burton, Varsity Softball Head Coach, echoed Nicole in discussing Camille’s ability and also commented on senior captain Elizabeth Bodzy’s ability to perform from the batter’s box.
“Elizabeth Bodzy spent the off-season at the batting cage developing her technique and power as a hitter,” said Coach Burton. “Both Camille and Elizabeth have the potential to hit the long ball this year.”
Coach Burton also believes that her team will benefit from a change that all Greenhill athletics had to undergo this season.
For the 2009-2010 school year, all Greenhill teams switched from Southwest Preparatory Conference’s (SPC) North Zone to the South Zone.
The change means that instead of playing Dallas/Fort Worth and Oklahoma schools for counter games, the team will instead be forced to play SPC schools from Austin, Houston, and San Antonio.
According to Coach Burton, the zone change enables her team to have a schedule that should be beneficial in preparation for the SPC tournament.
“Being in the South Zone gives us the unique opportunity to see both the southern teams as well as play the Metroplex teams,” Coach Burton said. “Going into the SPC tournament we will have played against nearly every team in the conference.”
Also of note for the softball team is the absence of Wells McMurray, long-time Assistant Softball Coach.
Replacing Coach McMurray this season is Janice LaMendola, Primer teacher and a former track-and-field coach for the school.
“It’s impossible to replace Coach McMurray, but Coach LaMendola and [JV] Coach [Elizabeth] Bayer have done a pretty great job,” Hannah said.
“They step in with any helpful advice necessary and have been a huge help with drills and techniques.” |
