Tiger Cubs eager for start of year

Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Greencastle sophomore Cassie Alspaugh catches for first-year Tiger Cub softball coach Dave Keller while Terri Collins hits ground balls to infielders during Tuesday's practice.

GREENCASTLE -- The Greencastle softball team will look to improve upon its one-win 2006 season with some high aspirations.

"We want to win the sectional," first-year head coach Dave Keller said Tuesday evening.

Some may look upon that comment with raised eyebrows, but the coach sees a spark in his squad that he thinks could become an inferno.

"They're a very talented, dedicated group of young girls who want to win," he commented.

The Tiger Cubs will be anchored up the middle by two seniors and a sophomore pitcher.

Co-captain Tabitha Wilson will be behind the plate while co-captain Kylie Rowings will prowl center field.

Returning to the mound for GHS will be sophomore Cassie Alspaugh. Alspaugh will have the comfort of a backup this season as freshman Kayla Nobles will split time between shortstop and pitching.

"Alspaugh is back full strength and were gonna take full advantage of that," Keller said.

Keller is excited about the fact that his team is young and willing to do the things they need to improve themselves. The team has 24 girls with 19 of those being freshmen. The infield will consist of two freshman, two sophomores, and one junior.

"We're building for the future but we want to win now," Keller emphasized.

The only concern for the Tiger Cubs would be a lack of depth in the pitching department.

"Our pitching is young, we have a freshman and a sophomore."

After a dismal season, Keller was impressed by the fact that the team is enthusiastic about the season and came to open gyms to improve their game.

"There's some real positive dedication with these girls," he said. "This is a really good unit, they're really close, we're a family.

"I'd go to battle with these 24 girls," Keller stated, "They're something else."

With the season stretched out before them and numerous unknowns laying ahead, one thing is for sure, Keller and his GHS softball squad could have a little something up their sleeves.

"This will be an exciting year for Greencastle softball," he said watching his team.

"We're gonna wake some people up this year and gonna have fun doing it.

Greencastle's softball season begins next Tuesday as they travel to face Riverton Parke at 5 p.m.

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