Tigers have firepower to get back to postseason

Tigers have firepower to get back to postseason

BY CARL KOTALA

Holy Trinity captains Lisa Bain, left, Olvia Nimmo and Shea Dimmer are part of what is expected to be a powerful lineup for the Tigers this season.

Photo by Carl Kotala

If things go the way the Holy Trinity girls softball team believes they will this season, the rest of their district — and opposing pitchers — should be on notice.

“I personally think we’ll be a little stronger than we were last year,” Tigers coach John Clarson said. “Maybe not in the pitching area, but offensively … I’ve got four or five girls who can hit the ball over the fence. They’re doing it now in practice, and I’ve seen them do it in travel ball games as well.”

The Tigers have a nice mix of young, but experienced players along with a couple of newcomers who also could have an impact.

This year’s team is not only big on power, but also on versatility.

Seniors Lisa Bain and Olivia Nimmo can both catch or play in the infield. Sophomore pitcher Shea Dimmer, now in her third year on Holy Trinity’s varsity team, also can play first base.

Claire Jackering also will see time at first, while Cali Perillo, Grace Rush and Bella Tomasura could all see time at second base. Slick fielding Allie Turner is back at short along with Nadia English. Both also can play third along with Perillo.

The outfield has veterans Sarah Kimmerling, Anaya Lopez, Tomasura, Adiya McDougle and Jordan Blair.

“I try to build versatile teams so, in the event I have injuries, I can throw

somebody in there I know has been practicing there,” Clarson said.

Perillo, a seventh grader, also will pitch, while another seventh-grade newcomer — Jenna Turner — will get some time in the outfield.

Bain said she liked that the Tigers have so many young, talented players because it means the team will continue to build for the future.

But as the two seniors on the team, Bain and Nimmo are determined to make their last year of high school softball one to remember.

“It’s going to motivate us a lot since it’s our last year as seniors,” Nimmo said. “We’re going to work hard to get further than we did last year.”

Coming off a district title game appearance and a spot in the Class 5A regional

quarterfinals two years ago, the Tigers were hoping for big things last year. Unfortunately, that didn’t materialize.

With a challenging non-district schedule that includes a game against Eau Gallie, along with 14 tough district games, this year’s Holy Trinity team is confident it can get back to the postseason once again. “Honestly, I want to make it the best season that they’ve had, and one of Holy Trinity’s best seasons so far,” Dimmer said. “I’m hoping we make it far this year, even for some of the past graduates like Talia (Douglas) and Allison (Roach).”