The Lady Bulldogs once again plan on being in the thick of the conference race after winning outright titles in 2013 and 2015, while sharing the crown in 2014. Gallatin has won at least a share of five of the last ten GRC softball titles and six of the last twelve since 2004.
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Although five starters return, if the Lady Bulldogs are to contend for a GRC title and post season advancement, they must do so with a much younger squad than a year ago.
“We have numerous positions that we’re looking to fill with the departure of the seniors from a year ago,” says Head Coach Chad Sullenger, who will again be assisted by Taryn Dustman. “In returning five starters, we’re looking for some people to step up and fill in those positions that were left void,” he adds. “We also have two seniors and a freshman who have transferred in that are competing for some positions.”
Gallatin sports only three seniors on its roster and two of those did not play last season.
Lone returning senior starter Sami Boyd is back with solid credentials as the Lady Bulldog #1 starting pitcher. She finished 16-4 last season with a 1.10 earned run average and 131 strikeouts. Backed by solid defense, she also cruised through a 43-inning stretch in which she did not allow a run. She earned all-district and all-GRC first team honors a year ago.
Junior Hayley Michael batted .486 last season as an outfielder and earned GRC honorable mention recognition. Sophomore Karley Salmon played third base last season and is the only infielder returning to the starting lineup. She also served as the #2 pitcher. Junior Maelea Coulson served as the designated player. Junior Courtney Shubert will move from second base to behind the plate.
Juniors Aubrey Feiden and Jerilynn Hoover are back from last year’s squad, along with sophomores Addison Burns, Essie Williamson, Bethany Bailey, Kelsey Maxwell and Zoe Bradford. Newcomers include seniors Ariel Harris and Courtney Smith and freshmen Macie McNeely, Madalyn Shubert, Morgan Glidewell and Aubrey Burns.
Offensively, the Lady Bulldogs averaged over six runs per game last season and scored at least 10 on seven occasions, but they will have to fill the first four spots in their batting order with new players.
“Overall, we’re still evaluating players day to day to see what we’re going to go with next Tuesday to give us the best chance to win at this point,’ Sullenger stated.
After several seasons of opening play against Trenton and Milan, the Lady Bulldogs this year will start the season against Polo at home next Tuesday and follow up with a trip to Putnam County in Unionville on Thursday. Thanks to the new conference membership and two-division alignment, the Lady Bulldogs will not play Worth County or Braymer in the regular season as they have in the past.
Gallatin competed in Monday’s jamboree at Milan. The Lady Bulldogs fell to Milan, 3-2, but defeated Scotland County, 6-1, and Princeton, 2-1, in the three-inning format.