February 22, 2012

The Lady Pirate softball team is set for the spring season at Granbury High School.

“I am really excited about the possibilities this season,” commented head coach Chad Kimberling who is assisted by Mallory Smith, Marci Davis, and athletic trainer Connie Rhodes.  Having graduated seven in 2011, “we are going to be a fairly young team, which is good for the future,” he said.

The varsity players are seniors Bailey Spencer, Sara Riale, Anyce Turner, and Sidney Williams; juniors Kelsey Clarke, Bailey Cole, Destinee Leavines, and Ashley Yeary; sophomores Ashley Edes and Maci Samuelson; and freshmen Taelyn Beadle, Destini Lopez, and Whitley Tipton.

Of the group, just two – Spencer and Cole – are returning varsity players.

District 7-4A play will begin in late February, with the Lady Pirates facing Arlington Seguin, Burleson, Cleburne, Crowley, Everman, Joshua, and Mansfield Summit in a round-robin format.

“No one in our district is looking for us to really be a factor, but I think that we are going to surprise a few folks,” remarked Kimberling.  “We may be young, but we are a talented team.  And the desire to do well and work hard is there for them all.”

The Lady Pirates will host the Granbury tournament on March 1-3, when several high school teams will be in town to compete.

“It is going to be an exciting season,” stated Kimberling.  “With the talent that we have, we are going to make a strong push in our district and into the post-season.  On paper, people may look at us and say no way, but we have the drive – and that cannot be measured.”