By the time this issue of the Plant City Times & Observer hits the newsstands, softball season will be underway. If this season is anything like the 2014 season, then fans of all three area teams should be in for a good ride over the next few months.
On the other hand, all of the three area teams are going to have to deal with big losses and changes. None of them came out of the offseason unscathed, whether they were hit by graduations or a staff change.
What’s worth keeping an eye on this year?
DURANT
The 2014 7A-District 7 champions earned that title with a solid run through the tournament, outplaying their underdog status against Strawberry Crest and ripping Plant City to shreds the next evening.
Durant lost six seniors to graduation, including clubhouse leaders Shannon Bell and Brooke Freeman. Those two each batted over .365, and combined for 60 runs, 61 RBI, 19 doubles and seven home runs.
On the other hand, head coach Matt Carter got the most out of his youngsters last season. Traile Robbins, as a freshman, led the team in batting average (minimum 20 games played) with .385 and with 12 stolen bases. Morgan Slater and Selena Bezares, now juniors, each batted over .375 last season, and Bezares’s 29 RBI mark was second only to Bell’s 45.
And on the mound, local fans have to remember how well Sloan Hammons pitched throughout the district tourney as a freshman. The sophomore hurler is back and looking to improve upon a 2.08 ERA, 141-strikeout season in 2015.
This team’s regular-season Achilles’ heel was its play in district games and, if the Lady Cougars can fix whatever problems they had in those games, then they’ll be a team that no one wants to play early in the tournament.
PLANT CITY
The district runner-up, Plant City had a successful year under first-year head coach Maggie Fiex and nearly got revenge against Durant in the FHSAA regional tournament. With the team’s only district loss coming at the hands of Strawberry Crest, the Lady Raiders were likely favored by many to win the district if Crest couldn’t get the job done.
And, like their blue-and-gold counterparts to the South, this team also got great efforts from its younger players. Perhaps the biggest surprise was that a freshman, Edmilly Molina, stepped up and nearly led the team with a .415 batting average. Rebecca Sorenson enjoyed a great sophomore year, leading the team with 28 runs and 23 RBI while batting .373. And, although she didn’t play in every game, freshman Tori Garrison hit .545 when she was out there and scored 15 runs in 15 plate appearances.
The team lost seniors Emily Register and Kacie Booth, .400-plus hitters, to graduation. But staff ace Noelle Dietrich, who posted an excellent 1.10 ERA and a 14-3 record, is back for one more year.
The only uncertainty with Plant City is that the program is now on its fourth head coach. Fiex left the program on good terms for personal reasons. Ashley Bullion is now in charge, and Raider fans are anxious to see if she can keep the program successful.
STRAWBERRY CREST
Mindy Miltner always seems to run a powerhouse on Gallagher Road, and last year’s Lady Chargers team was no exception. Riding a winning streak that lasted for a month and one half, Crest ended with a 20-6 record and lost only to Plant City in district play before the tournament.
The team did deal with some injuries, but still looked strong thanks to a high-powered senior corps including Mia Fung and Cacey Simmons — two of the best players in the Tampa Bay area. The team lost three hitters with averages at or above .500, three hitters who combined for 89 runs, 76 RBI and 17 homers, and a workhorse pitcher, Sammie Tyler, with a 1.28 ERA and 139 strikeouts.
There are good things that are carrying over from 2014. Junior Scottie Todd should be able to transition into Tyler’s old role smoothly. As a sophomore in 2014, Todd posted a 7-1 record with a 2.07 ERA and 42 strikeouts in just over 50 innings. Freshmen Brandy Ashmore, Stephanie Dwyer and Rachel Peak batted .800, .600 and .500 in limited action. Sophomores Kaylan Kelly and Kasey Locke played well when called upon to take bigger roles throughout the season.
If Miltner continues to get the most out of her players, then Crest will likely continue to be a formidable foe in the district.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
BATTER UP
All three teams have already begun regular-season play, but don’t worry about missing the home openers — there’s still plenty of time to plan to be there.
Each team will play its first home game at 7 p.m. on the following dates:
2/10: Newsome at Durant
2/13: Plant at Plant City; Riverview at Strawberry Crest