The First Presbyterian Christian Academy Lady Highlander softball team had much to celebrate as they took their first victory, a 22-10 win over Georgia Christian Academy out of Valdosta. They also celebrate the addition of their new head coach, James Willis.
Although knowledgeable as a softball coach, Willis is new to school sports programs and is gaining experience in his daily work with the team. Assistant coach Denise Arrington and dugout coaches, Kathy Smith and Cheri Scaggs, round out the coaching staff with years of sports participation and coaching.
"The FPCA coaching staff is very pleased with the growth of the Highlander softball program over the last two seasons, especially this year's team and our first win of the 2008 season," Willis said.
Willis said the Lady Highlanders have a solid core of experienced players, including junior Megan Matthews (first base) and sophomore Catherine Scaggs (pitcher, short stop), who plays multiple sports. Freshmen Samantha Cummings (catcher, third base), Jenna Hamilton (left field, third base), Nikki Lartigue (catcher, first base), Sydni Bacon (left field) and Andie Arrington (pitcher, second base) have stabilized the defense and provided pitching depth the coaching staff thinks will be instrumental in the team’s performance.
"The experience and leadership of this year's upper-classmen provides a stability that has given FPCA a competitive edge missing in past seasons." Coach Arrington said. "Note worthy of mention, is our returning pitcher-short stop, Kasey Smith, who has come into this season with great determination and progressed performance, rendering a step up in her mound performance which credited her with FPCA's 1st win and Brooke Standard, catcher-3rd base, who continues to add depth, speed, and solid field performance to this team."
The Lady Highlanders started off the hitting bonanza with Smith plugging two singles and a triple. Cummings added another two singles and a double, followed by Arrington slamming out another two singles and a double, as well as, pitching a three and out, perfect first inning. Continuing to lead the Highlander victory were Megan Matthews, Nikki Lartigue, Laura Lee, Kelsey Higgason, and Courtney Willis each chipping in singles.
"Great effort and pay off to the commitment to practices during the dog days of summer," coach Arrington said.
The Highlander team celebrated their win by enjoying a team outing at Wild Adventures following the game
2008 FPCA Lady Highlander roster
Andie Arrington, Brooke Standard, Samantha Cummings, Kelsey Higgason, Kasey Smith, Hannah Floyd, Megan Matthews, Nikki Lartigue, Jenna Hamilton, CC Daniels, Summer Mehalko, Catherine Scaggs, Courtney Willis, Laura Lee, and Sydni Bacon. Coaches: James Willis, Denise Arrington, Kathy Smith, and Cheri Scaggs.
Although knowledgeable as a softball coach, Willis is new to school sports programs and is gaining experience in his daily work with the team. Assistant coach Denise Arrington and dugout coaches, Kathy Smith and Cheri Scaggs, round out the coaching staff with years of sports participation and coaching.
"The FPCA coaching staff is very pleased with the growth of the Highlander softball program over the last two seasons, especially this year's team and our first win of the 2008 season," Willis said.
Willis said the Lady Highlanders have a solid core of experienced players, including junior Megan Matthews (first base) and sophomore Catherine Scaggs (pitcher, short stop), who plays multiple sports. Freshmen Samantha Cummings (catcher, third base), Jenna Hamilton (left field, third base), Nikki Lartigue (catcher, first base), Sydni Bacon (left field) and Andie Arrington (pitcher, second base) have stabilized the defense and provided pitching depth the coaching staff thinks will be instrumental in the team’s performance.
"The experience and leadership of this year's upper-classmen provides a stability that has given FPCA a competitive edge missing in past seasons." Coach Arrington said. "Note worthy of mention, is our returning pitcher-short stop, Kasey Smith, who has come into this season with great determination and progressed performance, rendering a step up in her mound performance which credited her with FPCA's 1st win and Brooke Standard, catcher-3rd base, who continues to add depth, speed, and solid field performance to this team."
The Lady Highlanders started off the hitting bonanza with Smith plugging two singles and a triple. Cummings added another two singles and a double, followed by Arrington slamming out another two singles and a double, as well as, pitching a three and out, perfect first inning. Continuing to lead the Highlander victory were Megan Matthews, Nikki Lartigue, Laura Lee, Kelsey Higgason, and Courtney Willis each chipping in singles.
"Great effort and pay off to the commitment to practices during the dog days of summer," coach Arrington said.
The Highlander team celebrated their win by enjoying a team outing at Wild Adventures following the game
2008 FPCA Lady Highlander roster
Andie Arrington, Brooke Standard, Samantha Cummings, Kelsey Higgason, Kasey Smith, Hannah Floyd, Megan Matthews, Nikki Lartigue, Jenna Hamilton, CC Daniels, Summer Mehalko, Catherine Scaggs, Courtney Willis, Laura Lee, and Sydni Bacon. Coaches: James Willis, Denise Arrington, Kathy Smith, and Cheri Scaggs.