Swamp Fox softball ready for 2012 season

January 26, 2012

Waycross College’s women’s softball team opens its regular season this weekend at the JUCO Kickoff Classic and Showcase in Clearwater, Fla. Head coach Bryan Hartley said he is looking forward to the 2012 season and expects big things from his team both at the plate and on the mound.

“We’ve had really focused practices,” said Hartley. “The team chemistry is outstanding. We’re looking forward to kicking off the season this weekend.”

The Swamp Foxes return eight starters from an all-freshman team in 2011 that finished fourth in the conference and earned a berth in the conference tournament. In addition, Hartley signed two freshmen from out-of-state during the offseason who are expected to make significant contributions as well.

“Jessica Ball comes from Idaho, and Nikki Krewtzman is from Colorado,” said Hartley. “Both have meshed real well with the team.”

Hartley said he expects hitting to be one of the Swamp Foxes’ strengths this season. In 2011, the first five batters in the lineup hit a combined .350, while the remaining four batters hit .250 as a group.

“Our goal is for the bottom half of the lineup to produce as well as the top half,” he said.

Another key strength for WC in 2012 will be pitching. Hartley said depth has been added to the rotation, which will be especially vital when the Swamp Foxes begin their conference schedule.

“Last year, we really depended on two pitchers during conference play. That lack of depth hurt us when we got to the conference tournament,” said Hartley. “This year, we’ll have a total of five pitchers, and at this point it’s really hard to say who our number one pitcher is. That’s a good position to be in.”

Hartley credited new assistant coach Laura Hutchins with helping to improve the team’s performance on the mound.

“Laura’s specialty is pitching,” he said. “She has been a tremendous help in working with our pitchers. She has also developed a tight bond with the whole team, which is great.”

Following the JUCO Kickoff Classic and Showcase this weekend, the Swamp Foxes will play in another tournament at Darton College Saturday, Feb. 4. The team’s home opener will be the following Saturday, Feb. 11 against East Georgia College. All regular season matchups will be doubleheaders. The first game of the East Georgia doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m.

The top six teams in the GCAA conference will earn a berth in the 2012 GCAA Conference Tournament to be played in Locust Grove, Ga. April 27-29.

All regular season home games will be played at the Trembling Earth Recreation Complex in Waycross. General admission is five dollars with children five and under admitted free.

Waycross College has been a proud member of the University System of Georgia since the College’s founding in 1976.

Waycross College’s women’s softball team opens the 2012 season this weekend at the JUCO Kickoff Classic and Showcase in Clearwater, Fla.