Softball second in local tournament

Softball team finishes second in local tournament

The Milligan softball team was excited about their second place finish in the 10th annual Milligan College Fall Classic held on Sept. 13 and 14 at Winged Deer Park in Johnson City .

“This is the highest we have finished since the four years I have been here,” said senior shortstop Andrea Henriott. “Everyone played well and we were up (in spirits) the whole time.”

The Lady Buffs finished the tournament 4-2 overall. They won their division with a 3-1 record handing Cumberland College , Montreat College and Tusculum College shutout games. They advanced to the finals in the single elimination round by defeating Bryan College but lost in the championship game to Lincoln Memorial University .

 “Our defense played great and I was very pleased,” said Softball Coach Wes Holly. “Everyone contributed and we had a solid defense throughout the tournament. Solid play so early in the season speaks well of the team.”

The Lady Buffs committed only one error in the first three games of the tournament.

The tournament gave Holly and his team a chance to see the progress of fall workouts and what areas need to be improved.

The Lady Buffs have been conditioning and working hard before the season begins in the spring.  Holly has been very pleased with the progress and positive response for the fall workouts.

“We’ve been practicing really hard this fall and the tournament showed how well we’ve done,” said senior Ashley Fine.

Holly said was pleased with the overall play of his team.

“We could be better in the hitting department, but we also have not had a lot of time to work on batting,” he said.

Pitchers Ashley Fine, Brandy Waddle and Courtney Ruth each contributed during the tournament, allowing Holly to see their progress and potential.

“They (the pitchers) did really well for being so early in the season,” said Holly

The tournament allowed freshman outfielder Erin Bowers and freshman pitcher Courtney Ruth to play on the college level.

“I was so nervous and I don’t usually get nervous. I just kept telling myself to focus,” said Ruth of her first college game.

“We were so proud of Courtney in the tournament,” said junior Shelby Banion. “She showed a lot of heart.”

The 2003 softball team is composed of seven seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and four freshmen. With a large number of veteran players, the team will be very solid this year.

“I have high expectations for them. They are a very talented, versatile group and there is a lot of competition for positions,” said Holly.

The team returns this season with an eagerness to play. After ending last season second in the conference, the Lady Buffs automatically advanced to the regional tournament, playing for the first time at that level.

“We want to take the team as far as we can and maybe all the way to nationals,” said Banion. “The seniors are great leaders, the middle classmen want to work hard to give the seniors a great season and the freshmen are working hard and catching the spirit.”