Junior Hannah Gorman pitches during the Lady Gladiators’ 10-1 win over Greene County on Aug. 20, the program’s first win since 2007. “There’s a bright future for this program,” head varsity softball coach April Tedeschi said. “They just have to realize it.” Photo courtesy of Tanner Tedeschi.
By KEVIN MOBLEY – Print Junior Copy Editor
The Clarke Central High School varsity softball team hopes to build of their winningest season in seven years next Fall.
The Clarke Central High School varsity softball team won its second game this season — also its second since 2007 — 11-6 against Greater Atlanta Christian School on Sept. 30 in the regular season finalé.
“On Tuesday, we were ready to play and we were ready to get rolling. We’re communicating better and (we) were actually playing like a team the last four games of the season,” Tedeschi said. “(Our players) weren’t giving up no matter what the score was.”
Tedeschi feels that the milestones achieved this season are only a small step in turning the program into a region competitor. Her main focus is to improve upon a foundation of basic skills through a routine practice style.
“You have to come to practice and show me what you’re going to do for that game. So, there’s a bright future for this program. (The players) just have to realize it,” Tedeschi said. “We’re harping on basics and until they show us that they understand the basics, we can’t get past that.”
The result has been a new attitude within the program.
“Us juniors just wanted to start over and forget the other two years,” junior pitcher Hannah Gorman said. “I knew (Tedeschi) was going to be a good coach–she knew what she was doing. I think that put us all in a positive mindset that we could actually do something this year.”
Finishing last in the region, the Lady Gladiators missed out on a slot in the Region 8-AAAAA Tournament. Tedeschi said she expects the program’s first region win in eight seasons next Fall.
“Constant practice is the only way to get better,” Tedeschi said. “We’re going to gear up with some workouts in the mornings next semester, start doing some spring training and keep going with our summer program. I anticipate hopefully some more wins (next year).”
