By Benny Rogers/TVCC Sports Information
The eighth season of spring softball at Trinity Valley Community College is at hand.
The Lady Cardinals are scheduled to open the 2016 season Friday with a doubleheader against Hill College. The first game of the twinbill in Hillsboro is set to begin at 1 p.m.
Though her squad is trying to overcome an outbreak of injuries, Ashley Johnston, the only coach in the program’s history, is ready to get started and excited about the potential she sees with her team.
“We are taking things one game at a time, but our expectations are to make it back to the regional tournament this year and get back into the groove of what TVCC softball is all about,” Johnston said.
The Lady Cardinals narrowly missed the regional tournament last year, which was just two years removed from a trip to the national tournament in 2013.
Johnston has guided the Lady Cardinals to 171 wins in her tenure and owns 183 career coaching wins. The Lady Cardinals posted a school record 33 wins in 2013 and followed it up with 31 the next year.
“Right now, our biggest question mark, or challenge, going into the season is keeping people healthy,” Johnston said. “We will open the season down three starters due to injuries. We hope to have them back by the start of conference play (in March).”
Johnston said pitching is presenting the biggest obstacle as the season opens with two of her top three pitchers (Sam Sevier and Courtney Johnson) on the injured list and the other left the team for personal reasons.
“We will rely on our No. 4 and No. 5 pitchers at the start, so we will hopefully learn a lot about our strengths and weaknesses before March.”
Johnston’s first lineup card will likely feature four freshmen starters – Anna Willhoite (catcher), Breana Florez (second base), Torri Hedrick (designated hitter) and Kayla Trekell (right field.
Returning starters expected to take the field for the opener are sophomores Lithe Pokipla Waiohu (third base), Angelica Navarro (shortstop), Micah Shaw (first base), Hannah Bennett (left field) and Desira Degaldo (centerfield). Karisa Watson, also a sophomore, is likely to draw the start in right field.
Starting the season on the injured listed, both of whom figure to be big contributors, are catcher Kayla Diaz and right fielder Haley Durden.
“We are going to be fine, but just have to work through these injuries these next few weeks,” Johnston said.
The Lady Cardinals are scheduled for their home opener at W.P. “Rip” Drumgoole Field at Cain Park on Tuesday, Feb. 23, against Hill College. Action begins at 1 p.m.
“We have a very special team this year,” Johnston said. “Everyone loves each other and gets along very well. I am definitely excited to see what’s in store for these young ladies, as they have worked so hard.”