LADY BULLDOGS SOFTBALL : ‘Interchangeable’ lineup scores often for Fayetteville
Posted on Monday, March 24, 2008
Fayetteville softball coach Jason Shirey relied on the ar m of pitcher Amanda Summerford in the Lady Bulldogs' run to a second state title last year.
It's more of the same this year, but reliable hitting up and down the lineup and the emergence of a newcomer's pitching has Shirey finding success in new places.
"We've got a pretty good group," Shirey said. "We're not relying on any one person to carry the team. Up and down the lineup it's a pretty solid group just in terms of on-base percentages. I've been happy with them no matter how we've moved them around."
There hasn't necessar- ily been a consistent lineup for Fayetteville (8-0 ) in its first eight games this season, but with the squad averaging eight runs a game, Shirey hasn't be too hesitant to mix things up and test the waters.
Junior Lauren Caldwell is leading the team with a. 583 batting average and 13 RBIs. She's also hit two home runs at the plate. Senior Morgan Keller follows her up with a. 577 batting average and nine RBIs.
A consistent batting order probably won't be settled until the last one-third of the season, Shirey said.
The lineup changed almost game-to-game in the Lady Bulldogs' four-game trek and domination of the Fayetteville-Far mington Invitational that included two wins over 4 A power Farmington by a combined score of 15-7.
"We switched some people around and we'll continue to do that," Shirey said. "The good thing for us is that our people are interchangeable."
Unlike baseball, interchangeability on the mound isn't necessarily a necessity. Arms rarely wear out, and no rules are in place limiting a pitcher from starting often during a season.
Summerford, last year's Gatorade Thirst Quencher Softball Player of the Year in the state, continues to pace Fayetteville from the hill. Her 0. 70 ERA and 6-0 record to start this season has continued her impressive stretch as a Lady Bulldog.
In three games Saturday in the invitational, she struck out 34 batters.
"She's gotten better every year," Shirey said. "I think the big thing is that she's not afraid to challenge people."
A possible backup may have been found for the Lady Bulldogs if tournament play last weekend provided a sure-fire picture of the defending champs' bullpen.
Newcomer Katie Petrino (1-0 ), daughter of Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino, leads the team with runs scored (10 ) and pitched a no-hitter against Rogers in a 12-0 run-rule win in the quarterfinals of the invitational Saturday. She also hit her first home run of the season later in the day against Farmington.
"She's an extremely hard worker," Shirey said. "She listens and I think the big thing for her is that she's getting a little more comfortable. I can imagine what she's been through as a sophomore. She settling in, the kids like her and it's made it a little bit easier for her."
Off for spring break this week, the Lady Bulldogs haven't played since last Saturday's 8-6 invitational championship win in their rematch with Farmington. Shirey, who holds a 134-19 record in his career with Fayetteville, said his players would work extra on hitting Monday in their first practice in more than a week.
Fayetteville will then host Fort Smith Southside on Tuesday for a doubleheader slated for 5 p.m. at Lady Dawg Yard.
"It's going to look rusty on Tuesday, but hopefully we can put some things together and play well," Shirey said.
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