STARKVILLE — Starkville Academy shortstop Mary Austin Barber understands she will need to take on a leadership role this season.
However, since she is the only senior on the 2012 fast-pitch squad, Barber will be happy to get some help from her friends.
“For several years, I was the only one in my class on the team,” Barber said. “Last year, we had more juniors, but the others left the team, so now it’s back to just me. I want this year to be a special year since it is my last year. The good news is I have several other teammates who are helping to lead the team.”
The Lady Volunteers will look to improve on a 16-19 finish last season. Starkville Academy will open the season Monday it plays host to Oak Hill Academy.
“We have to stay together as a team this year and be more consistent,” Starkville Academy sophomore first baseman Lauren Ware said. “We have to learn how to keep playing hard when things don’t go our way. If we can be more consistent and stay strong, we should be able to have a good team.”
Second-year coach Kayla Mosley has been preaching consistency. She feels her young team has responded in the first three weeks of practice in the early morning heat.
“I have been really proud of our effort the last three weeks,” Mosley said. “What we are learning is how to practice hard every day. The girls are really self-motivated. That makes our job as coaches easier. They are willing to invest the time and energy it takes to be successful.”
The Lady Volunteers will rely on several youngsters, including a bevy of seventh- and eighth-graders.
“We are a young a team but with a lot of abilities,” Ware said. “I think some of the younger players will be some of our really good hitters. When you first start practicing together, the main thing is having the right amount of effort. As veterans, it is our job to make sure the younger players keep their heads up and understand what we are trying to do.”
Mosley likes the team chemistry. She also feels the newcomers will benefit greatly from the leadership example set by the older players.
“The older girls have really taken control of the team,” Mosley said. “They make sure the younger players get their work in. They make sure they are doing things the way we want them done. When you have leadership like that, a coach does not have to intervene. I think our veteran players know we are going to be a young team. Instead of taking that as a negative, the task is to work hard to turn that into a positive.”
The Lady Volunteers will look to freshman Karlie Lockhart as a leader in the circle. Classmate Adrienne Futral will be the catcher. Mosley anticipates getting some innings in the circle out of Ware and Barber. She said that duo will anchor infield spots when they don’t pitch.
“I think we will be a balanced team once the season gets started,” Barber said. “We need to do a better job of making the routine plays. When someone makes an error, we got to make sure they get their heads up and they work just as hard to make the next play.”
Mosley also expects a similar balance. She feels the team offense will be able to score and that pitching and defense could be keys to reversing a trend of several close losses last season.
“I think we won’t be able to dominate offensively,” Mosley said. “However, we should be able to score some runs. We will play small ball when we have to. If we have solid pitching and solid defense, we can keep games close. Hopefully, some of the younger players will step up and be able to help us win more of those close games.”
Regardless of how the season plays out, one thing is certain: The team is ready for the season to start.
“After three weeks of early morning practices, everybody is still in really good spirits,” Barber said. “We are so ready for Monday. We are ready to play a game.”
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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