2008 Woodie Awards
New coach fuels softball's 2008 turn around
Michael Courtney Hutchison
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: Sports
To say last years' softball season consisted of ailing wounds is an understatement. Not only did they not have a coach for the first two months of practice, but they also had only eight players on the roster, they suffered forfeits brought on from player's illness causing them to have too few players to field a team, and they had trouble securing recruits for the up-coming season because of these factors. Mid-season, Coach Dennis Shores was hired to re-unite the team and rebuild a failing program, and managed to salvage a 10-30 record on the season.
"Coming into the situation last year was difficult," Shores said. "Seeing the team get beat up game after game was hard. The fact the girls stuck with it showed their dedication and determination."
A captain and outfielder on the team, senior Ciara Locklear looks forward to the season with Shores.
"There is more unity on this team," Locklear said. "Not having a coach for part of last year, a lot of us played for ourselves. This year is completely different. Coach Shores has been a blessing for this team."
Emphasizing basic fundamentals, recruitment and, most importantly academic integrity, Shores plans on creating a strong foundation for the future.
"The team's dedication is unquestionable," Shores said. "We should do well, although it is a year for rebuilding this program."
Adding considerable depth, Coach Shores brought in seven first-years and two transfers, totaling 16 on the squad. The team is returning eight letter winners and two captains, of which six will play a considerable amount of innings.
"This year we don't just have numbers; we have a team ready to compete," said junior Kelly Guarnieri, who's confident demeanor best describes the team's approach for this year's season. "Coach has turned around the mentality of the program; we're going to surprise a lot of people this year."
A catcher and team captain, Guarnieri was a two time honorable mention for the all ODAC team last season and also led the Quakers at the plate with a .364 batting average.
"Coming into the situation last year was difficult," Shores said. "Seeing the team get beat up game after game was hard. The fact the girls stuck with it showed their dedication and determination."
A captain and outfielder on the team, senior Ciara Locklear looks forward to the season with Shores.
"There is more unity on this team," Locklear said. "Not having a coach for part of last year, a lot of us played for ourselves. This year is completely different. Coach Shores has been a blessing for this team."
Emphasizing basic fundamentals, recruitment and, most importantly academic integrity, Shores plans on creating a strong foundation for the future.
"The team's dedication is unquestionable," Shores said. "We should do well, although it is a year for rebuilding this program."
Adding considerable depth, Coach Shores brought in seven first-years and two transfers, totaling 16 on the squad. The team is returning eight letter winners and two captains, of which six will play a considerable amount of innings.
"This year we don't just have numbers; we have a team ready to compete," said junior Kelly Guarnieri, who's confident demeanor best describes the team's approach for this year's season. "Coach has turned around the mentality of the program; we're going to surprise a lot of people this year."
A catcher and team captain, Guarnieri was a two time honorable mention for the all ODAC team last season and also led the Quakers at the plate with a .364 batting average.
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