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north pontotoc lady VikingS SoftBall
NORTH PONTOTOC
2022 lady VikingS SoftBall
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2022 north pontotoc lady VikingS SoftBall team
This year’s North Pontotoc softball team includes (front row, left to right) Manager Alika Montufar, Kendall Villarreal, Kam Thomas, Greenlee Anthony, Evie Coker, Jada Davis, Anabelle Berryhill, Madison Treadaway, Hailey Pitts, Brooke McBrayer, Emma Burk, (back row) Asst. Coach Kyle Robbins, Lacie Simmons,Tasia Scott, Madelien Woodson, Lexi Walker, Taytum Holt, Annslee Rhea, Abby Waldron, Kat Smith, Madi Coltharp, Karmen Pfahler, Mady Lindsey, Head Coach Dana Rhea, manager Sadie Rhea.
Photo by Galen Holley
LADY VIKINGS STRIVE TO WIN WITH PITCHING, DEFFENSE
Jonathan Wise
Sports Writer
North Pontotoc has a long tradition of softball success, and that stands a good chance of continuing.
Dana Rhea, hired as the Lady Vikings’ head coach last summer, has built championship programs at Nettleton and Tupelo, and he will look to do so in Ecru as well. Rhea was most recently at Kossuth, where the Lady Aggies reached the Class 3A state semifinals in his lone season.
“First of all we preach team; let’s be great teammates. I’m real big on that old saying ‘we before me,’” coach Rhea said of his approach. “When it comes to the game we just teach consistency. Let’s find a way to do this that works for you and let’s be consistent.”
Rhea likes what he has seen from his charges thus far.
“This group has great attitudes, great work ethic, and there’s some talent out there,” he said. “I’m extremely excited to have the opportunity to be here and to work with these girls. I’m hoping they can do great things.”
Senior Kathryn Smith is the Lady Vikings’ most experienced returning pitcher. Also in the mix for time in the circle are freshman Madison Coltharp and junior Kam Thomas, who is also set to play a big role in the infield.
“They look to be getting the majority of our innings this year,” Rhea said.
Abby Waldron, Brooke McBrayer and Smith are senior returning starters who will be key cogs for the Lady Vikings.
“Those are three who we are hoping will kind of spearhead this team,” Rhea said. “But you’ve got other kids like Madelien Woodson and Karmen Pfahler who are upperclassmen but haven’t had the opportunity to play. We are hoping that they can step in and play some roles for us.
“Until we get on the field (in games) and figure out what works for us, it is kind of hard to say (what the lineup will look like),” Rhea said. “Kids are going to fluctuate (positions) and there will be some different lineups.”
In keeping with his philosophy, Rhea says a big key for North will be effectively limiting their opponents.
“For us to be successful we are going to have to pitch it well and play good defense,” he said. “That’s kind of what we build our teams around. We are going to put the best nine defensive players out there and try to manufacture runs. In the fastpitch game you’ve got to be able to throw strikes and take pressure off your defense.That’s key for us, being able to get outs and play good defense behind our pitcher. The way I look at it is if I only give up 1 or 2 (runs), I only have to get 2 or 3.”
MARCH 22 @ South Pontotoc*
MARCH 24
New Albany*
MARCH 25
@ Itawamba Agricultural
MARCH 29
Houston*
MARCH 31
Ripley*
APRIL 1
@ West Union
APRIL 5 @ Pontotoc*
APRIL 7 South Pontotoc*
APRIL 12 @ New Albany* APRIL 14 @ Houston*
APRIL 18 @ Ripley* APRIL 19 Falkner
* Division game
NORTH PONTOTOC
