There are a number of new faces on the Gallatin High School softball linup this season.
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Gallatin’s softball youth movement is in full swing this season as the young and untested Lady Bulldogs prepare to square off against Smithville tomorrow (Thursday) at 4:30 p.m. at the GHS softball field. Color this squad small in numbers and experience but big in enthusiasm and hard work ethic.
“We’ve got a lot of people who are brand new and some who didn’t play much last year,” says first year head coach Mark Strasser, who served as GHS assistant coach for 5 years. “We’re going to give some people a chance starting out and we’ll see what happens,” he added. “These are all good kids to work with.”
Nine seniors departed from last year’s team that finished 2-6 in the Grand River Conference and 2-14 overall. Only 3 starters return to bolster a 13-player roster that includes 2 seniors, 3 juniors, 1 sophomore and 7 freshman newcomers.
Seniors Courtney Houghton and Shannon Batson will provide the leadership for the `99 Lady Bulldogs and join junior Rochelle Davitt as returning starters.
Houghton earned an all-GRC honor last season and all-district award as a sophomore when she batted a career high .378. One of Gallatin’s most versatile players, she will pitch, play in the outfield and could serve as backup catcher. Batson returns to center field but could see time at the important infield position of shortstop. Davitt returns at first base for the Lady Bulldogs.
The freshman class will provide 4 starters for the Lady Bulldogs: left fielder and part time pitcher Roxanne Davitt, catcher Amanda Bohannon, third baseman Kayli Burrell and right fielder Laura McCann. Sophomore Kim Clevenger is the opening game shortstop. Junior Meredith McCann will play second base.
Reserves include junior Pam Walker and freshmen Brook Carder, Kamille Burrell and Jessica King.
Strasser will be assisted this season by Coach Christy Prather.
The Lady Bulldogs follow up Thursday’s opener with the Albany Tournament on Saturday. Gallatin opens against Maysville at 10 a.m. on the east field, then follows with a noon game versus Princeton. The Lady Buldlogs take on Albany at 2 p.m. on the west field.
The GHS girls also travel to Milan next Monday and Stanberry next Tuesday.