Lady Panthers entering season with high hopes

Published 1:00 pm Friday, August 4, 2017

CHULA — School is almost back in session for Tiftarea Academy. The term starts next Friday which means that the Lady Panthers softball team will be stepping in between the white lines to kick off the 2017 campaign.

  It has been an offseason of hard work for the ladies for for their first home game against Berrien, which will take place Monday at 5 p.m.

 This year’s team may have some gaps to fill but will return two all-region selections. Sara-Kate Lupo in the circle, and senior Carson Bryan in the outfield. Two other seniors will also be on the roster as well and include Missy McKay and Alyssa Brown amongst the youthful ball club.

 Coming off an impressive 12-8 record a season ago, Tiftarea will have a new look but the same mindset entering the season as the team will regroup after losing four position players off the region championship team.  

 A strong point for the Lady Panthers will come in the circle with rising sophomore Lupo returning as she carried the load in 2016, pitching 116 innings, including 18 starts with 93 strikeouts as a freshman.

Newcomer McKenna McCard will add depth behind Lupo in the circle and will also be a great asset to the team.

 All facets of the game will be important for the Lady Panthers to get back to winning another region championship as only time will tell on how well the players progress throughout the season.

 “Commiting yourself to be better everyday, being strong not only physically but mentally is going to be important.” head coach Joe Barkman said.

 Madi Claire Lentz, who played outfield for the Lady Panthers last season, will make the move to help fill a void in the infield.

 Around the diamond, players along with Lentz who will help make an impact defensively will be Lydia Connell, Olivia Hancock, Sara Beth Royal and Morgan McKay.

 This year’s schedule will region games against Brookwood, Deerfield-Windsor, Valwood, and Southland Academy. Along with Berrien, Crisp and Fitzgerald being added to complete the schedule.

 Offensively the ladies will be youthful, losing two big bats with the departure of Maci Paulk and Macy Strenth who both carried batting averages over .325.

 Not only will Lupo be a vital part in the circle, but she will also carry a hot bat in the lineup as she led the team in average with a .354 mark. She was second behind Paulk with hits, totaling 23, including six doubles.

 “Our lineup will be solid one through nine, with the athletic abilities that each player brings to the table,” Barkman said.

 Other players to watch in the lineup with great speed on the bases will be McKay, who will be handling the leadoff spot in the order.

 Behind McKay in the order will come hits from seniors Bryan, Missy McKay, and sophomore Sydney Wisham in an important utility role..

Both seniors Bryan and Missy McKay said during practice, “We are a young team, but we are practicing hard to get to where we want to be.” They also said,

”Right now we are all confident heading into the season, and want  nothing more than defending our region title.”

 As for a berth to play for a region title the Lady Panthers have a whole season waiting to unfold, but the hopes are high around the ballpark.

  “We are excited about the season starting,” Barkman said.

The Lady Panthers will kick things off Monday afternoon at home with the varsity starting at 5 p.m. hosting Berrien and then will take on Westfield on the road Tuesday with 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. starts.