"We're very excited about our chances this season" said Coach Miano. "I feel like we should be very competitive. Often, when a team consists of lots of returners, there is resistance to learning and trying new things. Sometimes players think, since they are returning, that they know all there is to know about the game, but that's not this group. These kids.....returners and new players.....are absorbing all the new information and not only executing the skills, but being sure the new players are understanding the concepts also. It is a team attitude of winning and doing what it takes to acquire that goal. They want to learn, crave new suggestions and work very hard to execute new ideas. As coaches, we are very excited about this "We Not Me" attitude and the daily work these young ladies put in to be the best they can be!"
The Lady Cougars will be led by three senior captains this season. Kasey Holcomb is back at her position at shortstop, Tiffany Alley will be holding down third base again, and Bethany Anderson will rotate between outfield and third base. "All these girls are seniors and have great assetts to add to the Varsity program with leadership, confidence, ability and drive to be the very best young ladies and players they can be while leading a group eager to follow" said Miano.
Another thing that will help the Lady Cougars out are the other returning starters from last season. In all, there are ten Lady Cougars who started at one point or the other last season. Sarah Wright will be taking charge of first base, while Brooke Hundley will handle second. Holcomb will be your shortstop, Alley will be at third base, and Anderson in the outfield. Kelli Duncan will and Carlie Brewer will be Pulaski's other two outfielders, and Jordan Chrisley will be behind the plate as catcher. The Lady Cougars should be stronger this season on the mound, as Whitney McDaniel....who moved up from JV late in the season last year has shown improvement, and Kaitlin Smith will look to continue what she started last season on the mound.
When ask if any of her players had surprised her this spring, Coach Miano said "I don't think I have a "surprise" player, but we are experiencing a "surprise team attitude". The girls are really excited about playing, and their expectations are high."
The Lady Cougars have some work to do if they want to improve on last seasons performance. "We need to improve on fielding situations such as paying attention to "secondary runners" and knowing what to do in different situations" said Miano. "This will improve as the weather improves and we can get on the field for some extended defensive work.
Miano also pointed out some of her teams strengths. "Our strengths this year will be base running. We are emphasizing "stealing bases" and teaching the DETAILS involved with base running. It is a major emphasis and the young ladies are responding well. Another big positive this season is attitude. These girls are non selfish and eager to work, a definite strength for any team and I will take it!"
The Lady Cougars will also have some new faces on the field this season. "Evony Coffey, a junior infield player, hits the ball hard and absorbs every piece of information we teach her. She is respectful and eager to contribute to this team. Brooke Seagle, another junior infielder, also and has a very good swing. She sees the ball very well and works on her hitting with excitement. Katie Hurst, a freshman, plays both infield and outfield. She is fast and loves to dive head first. She has a good glove and is a sponge every day at practice. Lauren Shumate, another ninth grader, is very athletic and has speed. She will also be both in and outfield as we need her. Her arm is very strong and she has the mentality of an athlete. She's a great competitor who will develop quickly. Junior Lauren Foster played junior varsity for us last season, and she has come along very nicely. She has some great speed and base running ability, and we hope to be able to continue to develop and use that for the team."
There has been another new face on the field as well this season for the Lady Cougars. "Jade Murray, our team manager, is with us everyday and is a wonderful help to us as coaches and to the team members. She is great, and she does alot of things to help the team every day. She will be helping to keep different stats and to help the team evolve."
Assisting Coach Miano this season are assistant coaches Vernon Crouch, who works with outfielders and pitchers, and Shannon Brewer, who coaches hitting and base-running.
So what are the expectations? "We are going after the district title. Period" said Miano. "We've got the girls in place, they have the experience, and they have the talent. They have worked hard enough, and they continue to do that every day. We want a District Title, and we are going to work hard every game to get it. We're not going to run our mouths, we're going to let our bats do the talking for us."
While there are several scrimmages set to take place, weather permitting, over the next week or so, the Lady Cougars first official game is set for March 15 against Carroll County. Game time is set for 5 pm at Pulaski County High Schools softball field.
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