Fast-pitch success

By Latesha Johnson | gargoyle@flagler.edu

As they approach the mid-point of their season, the Flagler College softball team is looking to continue their success on the field.

The ladies have recorded a 24-14 overall record so far, including a dominating 9-1 home record.

Not knowing who will play what position until minutes before each game, the girls strive to work harder in practice every day to win a spot.

“The thing that is currently driving the team’s success right now is just the amount of pure talent each individual has,” junior shortstop Lauren Bessent said. “Every person out there is good enough to be on the field at any given moment.”

The team is currently ranked No. 14 nationally, according to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and NCAA Division II Top 25 polls. Coming into the season, the team was ranked 13th after competing in the Division II National Championships last season before being defeated by University of Central Oklahoma and Saint Joseph’s College of Indiana. The team ended the season with a 39-20 record.

Losing eight seniors from the previous season, this year’s team looks to reach those same heights this season with its new veteran players.

“The veterans that are on the field have really stepped up in clutch situations and pulled us out of a few messes,” Bessent said.
According to Bessent, a strong point of this year’s team and what keeps them rolling are the hitting and pitching staffs.

“We have really stepped up our hitting games from previous years,” Bessent said, “also our pitchers have been doing an awesome job.”

Junior pitcher Katie Enright is one of the veterans who can take that credit.

“I think this year we’re stepping up more when we know the team is relying on us,” Enright said. “The days when the team might not be hitting that well are days we know as pitchers we need to completely shut down the other team.”

Head softball coach Kristen Overton hopes that her team can find some consistency and remain focused as the team gets closer to playoff time.

“We have good games and we have bad games. When we are successful, you can feel it from the start of the game. The energy is right, the girls are focused and there’s a no one can beat us attitude,” Overton said.