While Georgia Southwestern’s softball team acclimates itself to the Peach Belt Conference, Albany State is trying to return to the SIAC’s throne.
During a span of four years, beginning in 2005, Albany State won three conference tournament championships (2005, 07-08) and placed second last year. Making it to the top of a traditionally strong Peach Belt isn’t necessarily a concern right now for Georgia Southwestern. The Lady Hurricanes are still waiting for a young core of players to mature.
Still, both programs want to turn things around this year.
“Losing makes us hungry,” said former Monroe star Ta’Shelya Bynum, who bats cleanup for Albany State. “We want to go out with a win.”
Bynum, who was a freshman when ASU won conference in 2007, said last season was a jolt to her and other freshmen who knew nothing but winning the conference until the Lady Rams were runners-up to Miles last year.
“Whatever mistakes we made last year, we want to try to avoid them,” Bynum said. “We didn’t get going in the tournament until it was too late.”
The Rams, who open the season by hosting West Georgia in a Monday doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m., finished 28-26 last year and coach Robert Skinner said he feels this team can easily surpass that, especially with the return of outfielder Allyssa Spellman, who missed most of last season with a torn ACL. Other outfielders who could start are Westover’s Dominique Bryant and Bainbridge’s Vanessa Jones.
“The middle of the field is pretty strong,” Skinner said. “As a whole, we’re going to be young but that’s no excuse for weakness. We are going to have our challenges at the beginning of the season, but with hard work and dedication, we could achieve some good things before the season is over with.”
Bynum likely will lead the offense after batting .366 in 2009 along with seven homers, 15 doubles, three triples and 41 RBI. She will be joined in the middle of the lineup by Deanna Birdsong and top pitcher Sasha Reece.
Skinner’s team has a demanding pre-conference schedule. After playing West Georgia, the Lady Rams host sixth-ranked Valdosta State on Wednesday and Columbus State on Feb. 17.
“That pretty much lets you know what needs to be done before the conference schedule starts (hosting hosting Clark Atlanta on Feb. 27),” Skinner said.
Meanwhile, Georgia Southwestern is uncertain about the status of one of its top players, Nichole Griffin of Lee County (broken clavicle). Last season, Griffin batted .297 with three homers, 10 doubles and 17 RBI.
“We’re anticipating her to be back playing around March,” sauid GSW coach Eddie Ward, whose team was 13-37 last season and is still new to the Peach Belt. GSW starts the season today against Brewton-Parker at 2 p.m.
Added Ward: “We’ve also applied to the NCAA to get her an extra year of eligibility. She is the team captain and the team has been built around her. Nichole not playing would be a big loss for us.”
If Griffin doesn’t play, third baseman Katie Wooten may be one of the keys after hitting three home runs, four doubles and 11 RBI last season
“Wooten has so much talent,” Ward said. “She’s going to have to play up to her talent level. She seems to be more focused playing ball this season.”
After starting six freshmen last season, Ward only hopes his team continues to mature and catch up to the Peach Belt’s talent level. For instance, Peach Belt powerhouse North Georgia is ranked second in the country.
“All of our eight freshmen from last year are returning,” Ward said. “When you’re in the Peach Belt, that’s a really tough conference. These kids we have on the team now were top dogs in high school and now they are little fish in college. They’ve got to understand what it takes to succeed at this level.”