By Michael Kinney
The prep slowpitch season kicked of fast for Southmoore last week. They started with win over Norman North Thursday in the season opener.
"I thought that after the first couple of innings that we settled down and played like we are capable of," Southmoore coach Jason Lingo said. "We spotted Norman North their first five runs due to errors and walks. After that we executed much better both in the field and from the pitcher's mound."
However, they were not as fortunate Friday in loss to Putnam City.
Lingo is in his first season as the SaberCats' head coach. But he was an assistant on last year's squad that went 12-9. He knows what type of talent he has coming back this year.
"Despite our first inning error fest (Thursday) night, I really think that our defense will be a strong indicator of how well we perform this season," Lingo said. " Though we don't have the type of offense to produce lots of runs night in and night out, we are capable of playing aggressive, solid defense each time we take the field, and I think the three double-plays we turned in the first game against Norman North are good examples of that."
In Southmoore's second year, they are going still be considered a young team. Of the squads 17 players, nine are freshmen. Because of that, the upperclassmen will have to shoulder even more responsibility.
"Senior Kelly Myers and Junior Haley Strawn are the ones who will be in charge of that leadership, both on and off the field," Lingo said. "Kelly has been our shortstop for every season we've had at Southmoore and I expect her to continue to quarterback our defense this season as well. Haley has played multiple positions for us in her career but has worked hard in the off seasons to overcome multiple knee injuries the last few years and has become a really good outfielder with an exceptional arm."
It's not just in the field Myers and Strawn are expected to produce. Their bats will be counted on if the SaberCats are to have a strong season.
"Kelly and Haley will both be looked upon to provide needed punch in our offensive lineup as well," Lingo said. "Both of these kids are great kids off of the field and extremely tough competitors on it. Both of them have a chance to do some really great things for us this year."
The Cats faced Putnam City West and Moore earlier in the week. They host Little Axe at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
