The beginning of a new school year also marks the beginning of the fall softball season for many returning athletes. The Ladyskins, having lost only two seniors last year, start this new season with an already established team.
Returning seniors Lindsay Seger at catcher, Meghan Shuman at first, Tara Miles at third, Brittney Friedberg in the outfield and starting pitcher Ashley Barfield lead the team.
Junior Rebecca Horton, in the outfield, returns as a starter this year. Relief pitcher Samantha Howard, a sophomore, begins her second season as a Ladyskin joining fellow sophomore Chelsea Cannon.
With second base and centerfield left open by departing seniors Meredith Shuman and Kari Groover, the Redskin coaches turn to the newcomers to fill the void.
Returning, after a year at Pinewood Christian, junior Taylor Stanfield stepped into the second base position.
Freshman Bridgett Bacon comes to BCHS in the starting centerfield position and takes the number one spot in the current Ladyskins’ lineup.
She is joined by freshman Kayla Koskela in the outfield, Amanda Williams in the outfield and Stacey Shuman, outfield.
The Ladyskins paired off against non-region opponent McIntosh County last week in a scrimmage game and again Monday in regular season non-region matchup.
Barfield took the mound for the first time this season and displayed both strength and control as she allowed only one batter (who was hit by a pitch) to reach the bases in the three innings she pitched in the first game and she allowed no batters to reach in the two innings she pitched in the second game.
The Lady Redskins defeated the McIntosh Buccaneers 18-2 in the first game and 18-2 in the second game thanks in part to strong solid hitting by the offense.
Koskela led the Redskins going 2 for 2 in the first game and freshman Amanda Williams proved to be quite an asset when she hit a two RBI double in the first game.
The BCHS Ladyskins are expecting a great year led by the experience of not only their older players but also their new teammates, who join the team as seasoned athletes.
Barfield’s control and speed on the mound in the two games she started should pose a problem for some of the Ladyskins biggest opponents.
A strong, confident offense and solid defense are certainly the components the Redskins possess as they begin their new season.
Tuesday, Aug. 14 at 5:30 p.m. the Redskins face Jenkins County, one of their stronger region opponents, at Redskin Field in Pembroke.
On Thursday, Aug. 16 at 4:30 p.m., cross-county non-region rival Richmond Hill comes to Pembroke to play for county bragging rights.