With softball in practice and preparing to make its field debut later this month, Orioles head coach Andrea Mahr gave a preview recently of what to expect as the season approaches.
“We graduated a lot of leadership, talent and experience but that doesn't mean that this year is short of great opportunities!” She said, “For me, it isn't a question of if the talent is there, it is more so determining who possesses what talents and where those pieces fit together to make the team complete. Although there are a lot of unknowns right now, that, to me, is the exciting part. There are going to be a lot of other teams that underestimate us because of our varsity inexperience and age. Sometimes that alone is the motivation that good athletes attach to to make a name for themselves, and I am hoping that is what this group does!”
Going on to say the team is returning senior Abby Reynolds, Mahr predicts that Reynolds will be just what the team needs in that role.
“We return Senior pitcher, Abby Reynolds,” Mahr aside. She will be the constant calm and consistent positivity that we need. I know I can count on her to throw strikes, and because pitching is such a huge part of the game, that is a definite plus for us! Her leadership is going to drive our team forward, along with her other half, our catcher, Bailey Sikora. With a year of varsity experience and other travel team experiences, I know that Bailey will be a strong force to be reckoned with both behind the plate and at it!”
Closing out by saying the team has a lot of “great athletic girls,” Coach Mahr said she was excited fo them to get out and play.
“We have a lot of great athletic girls that make up the rest of the team,” she said. “I am excited for them to get their opportunity to show what they can do. Since Mother Nature has been kind to us this year, for the first time ever in my coaching experience, we will be able to get on the dirt week one. It is exciting to know that those pre-season non-conference games will actually be able to take place! That gives us more time to put together a confident team by conference play!”
