Chris Whitaker
AMERICUS — Georgia Southwestern had high expectations for its softball team last season.
The Lady Hurricanes did win their first-ever conference tournament game, but they finished 13-37 overall.
GSW has most of its recruiting class back from last year, and the new incoming class has coach Eddie Ward even more optimistic.
"We didn't prepare properly last year, and that's as much my fault as anybody's," said Ward. "Therefore, our execution was very poor. But we've already changed. They're buying into some of my philosophies, and the similarities to baseball is there."
Ward said the team should be better prepared mentally, and he's made sure they're in physical shape.
"The conditioning has been way more severe than it's ever been," he said. "We lifted weights every day in the fall, and we run every day. We've probably run more this January than the last two Januaries combined. They're all in better frames of mind and know what's expected."
GSW returns four position player starters and four pitchers. Heading the list is sophomore second baseman Gabby Buck who was Second Team All-Conference last year. She led the team in batting (.316), hits (49) and was second in total bases (57).
"I think she will vie for making the conference team again," said Ward. "I look for her to have an even better offensively because of the maturing process. She's a solid player, and her effort, she will always leave it on the field."
GSW struggled at the plate and on the mound last year. The Lady Hurricanes finished at the bottom in most of the major categories including batting average, runs scored and earned run average.
They averaged 2.5 runs a game in conference play and were shut out 18 times overall. GSW batted .191 with bases empty and .216 with runners in scoring position.
On a 1-10 scale, Ward rated the offense a two.
"We played a lot of freshmen who were not used to seeing pitchers spot the ball like pitchers up here can do," said Ward. "They never understood what pitch selection was. They had dug in and swung on a 2-0 count with whoever's pitching. They're understanding when they're ahead 2-0, they're in the driver's seat. I tell them to have a pitch in mind, and if it's there, jump on it. And if it's not there, don't swing and ground out."
Nichole Griffin led GSW in runs (24), doubles (10) and RBI (17), but her status is still uncertain. The school is trying to get a medical waiver to grant her a sixth year of eligibility after suffering a broken collarbone in August. If it's denied, Ward said it would be mid-March before Griffin would return.
Junior college transfer Heather Hodge from Georgia Perimeter is expected to have a big impact at the plate and in the field where GSW committed the most errors.
"In my nine years of coaching at GSW, she's the smoothest infielder I've ever watched play," said Ward. "She has a set of the quickest hands at the plate. She will be a true leadoff hitter — the first one I've had in five years. In the past two years, we've averaged two errors a game and just by her being in our infield, that will cut our errors down. It's just her presence and work ethic. The defense looks flawless right now."
Ward said Katie Wooten should also have a breakout season at the plate if she plays up to her capabilities.
Jessica Martin led the pitching staff with 112.1 innings pitched, five wins and a 3.43 ERA. No one else had more than 67.2 innings, and Ward expects no pitcher to have more than 70 innings pitched.
"My strategy is to run the softball team like a baseball team," said Ward.
GSW plans on using Martin and Mariko Nomura as starters with Tiffany Milstid and K.T. Tolbert in relief. Throw in newcomer Katie Mueller, and Ward said some of the pitching numbers should improve.
He hopes Martin doesn't have a "sophomore jinx," and he's excited to see what Nomura cn do with a full year behind her after being the GJCAA Player of the Year at South Georgia College two years ago.
"Jessica still hasn't reached her potential," said Ward. "She's understanding the mental preparation that's involved and the physical exertion it takes to play.
"Mariko's nothing but 145 pounds of heart. She had to miss fall of last year to graduate from South Georgia to come here and didn't get to practice. This year, she's had a complete year of getting ready to play, and it shows."
Ward said the Lady Hurricanes should finish in the middle of the conference when the preseason coaches poll came out and GSW was picked last.
GSW started its season Saturday at home against Brewton Parker and has doubleheaders at home on Feb. 8 and Feb. 11 against Lynn and West Georgia. The Lady Hurricanes start conference play on Feb. 13-14 at Francis Marion and UNC-Pembroke.
"Realistically, our season will be considered a disappointment if we don't finish .500 and more importantly, if we're not 9-9 in conference," said Ward. "I hate the fact we're starting conference play so early. We have to hit the ground running, and we need to peak very early to ensuring us having a good conference season."
