Softball coach looks ahead to another winning season

By Jaycob Ammerman | gargoyle@flagler.edu

After having their first winning season in team history last year, the Flagler College softball team is determined to keep improving.

Last season, the team finished with a record of 28-24, resulting in a three-way tie for fourth place in the Peach Belt Conference. This season Flagler is picked to finish fifth in the conference, but head coach Kristen Overton has better expectations for her team.

“I think we can finish in the top one, two or three because we have the right girls to do it, all with the right attitude and the right competitiveness,” Overton said.

This season, she said her team has to stay healthy and stay consistent on an everyday basis. If the team can do so, then Overton is optimistic that her team can win 40-plus games.

The biggest difference from last year’s team to this year’s is pitching. Last year the team was plagued by injuries that resulted into having only three pitchers healthy all year.

“It was tough to go through, so this year it feels really good. We actually have two starters, and we have three other pitchers healthy right now,” Overton said.

After losing 10 players last year — seven of those being seniors — the team had to rebuild. The team brought in key freshman Kayla Loverichn, Lauren Bessent and Katie Enright to replace the talent that left.

“Where we are now is a lot better than last year, talent-wise. We replaced the talent that left with better,” Overton said.

She said the team is anxious and ready to start the new season. The first game will take place at home on Feb. 5 against St. Leo University at 11 a.m.

“It is going to be a great season,” Overton said.