Published Wednesday, April 09, 2008 10:49 AM
Updated Wednesday, April 09, 2008 10:50 AM
Orangeburg-Wilkinson’s throw to third base is too late as Goose Creek’s Danelle Phillips beats the tag.
Senior Allysa Chambers slides safely into second Monday at GCHS.
Gators prepared for home stretch
Goose Creek scored early and often Monday, and pitching standout Lyndsey Beard held Orangeburg-Wilkinson scoreless, as the Gator softball team improved to 12-7. GCHS defeated the Bruins twice in as many games, by scores of 11-0 and 17-0. The tune-ups came before several tough, make-or-break regional contests for Head Coach Tracey Younts' team, which was a perfect 5-0 in regional play as of Monday.
Goose Creek was scheduled to battle Wando Tuesday in a make-up game, Berkeley on Wednesday and Stratford on Friday. Beard is one of three seniors on a Gator squad in its third season of a rebuilding effort that has seen GCHS grow into a team that can hold its own against anyone. Last week, the Gators knocked off Stratford, and Goose Creek has already defeated Berkeley twice in 2008. Close, early-season contests with the likes of Sumter and Spring Valley, and a victory over Colleton County, gave the team a sense of confidence that had been lacking in previous seasons. According to Younts, the trick has helping her players believe they belong with the region’s elite teams, while not becoming over confident.
“Our focus is: intensity, focus, relax and have fun,” Younts said. “On any given day, there are five or six different players in our line-up who (emerge as a leader).”
In recent games, the coach praised sophomores Kenzy Jonason, Shannon Mason and Samantha Wilcott for stepping up for the Gators. She called senior catcher Maria Helms the team’s leader.
Only two other seniors dot the Gator line-up: Allysa Chambers and Lyndsey Beard. Sophomore Kayla Beard is the team’s number-one pitcher.
“I feel very good about our line-up,” Younts said.
One new addition that the coach called a “pleasant surprise” is eighth-grader Tierra Fischler. “She’s very young … and I’ve thrown her to the wolves,” Younts said with a smile.
Fischler was brought up to varsity this year, and has played right field. She is one piece of the puzzle that has helped the Gators improve from 6-15 two years ago, to where they are today.
“We went through a lot of bumps and bruises,” Younts said. “Last year, we finally got over the hump.”
Now the goal is not only to be competitive, but to win. So far, the goal is being accomplished.
“I told them, this year, you’ve got to believe that this is a good squad,” Younts said. “You have got to start believing that you can play with the Summervilles and the Wandos. That is huge.”