Going into his fourth year with the Park Hill Softball team and second year as head coach, Stuart Sullinger is happy this year’s team will be able to experience some consistency within the coaching staff that previous teams haven’t. After becoming the fourth head coach in the previous four seasons last year, Sullinger and his staff are back, looking to improve on last year’s performance.
Last year’s 8-16 record wasn’t what Sullinger expected going into his first season.
“It was disappointing based on where we thought we would be. There aren’t any excuses, but we suffered some injuries to some key starters,” Sullinger said.
Looking to this season, the Trojans will be returning a strong lineup, having only graduated one senior. Leading the Trojans will be a strong senior class of seven seeing significant playing time, including captain Amanda Ell, ace pitcher Kati Snodgrass, Kayla Reynolds, iron-woman Kelsey Samenus who played every inning last season, and infielder Kylie Ball who hit several home runs before being injured last year.
Good softball teams tend to be strong up the middle, making Sullinger excited to see his ace pitcher, Snodgrass, and returning starter, catcher Michele Rupard, returning this year. He pointed out the importance of their chemistry stemming from playing summer leagues on the same team along with several other Trojans softball players. Rupard led the team in almost every category last year before getting injured.
“Michele is a very intuitive player so she can kind do some of those coach-on-the-field type of things like settle a pitcher down or lighten the mood,” Sullinger said.
Underclassmen that will be contributing this season include juniors Meghan Nelson and all-conference 1st basemen Malia Wright, sophomore all-conference shortstop Bethany Sullinger and possibly some new faces in terms of incoming freshmen.
Look for the Trojans to make a push for the conference and district titles as well with a couple tough match-ups with Oak Park and Park Hill South.
Last year’s 8-16 record wasn’t what Sullinger expected going into his first season.
“It was disappointing based on where we thought we would be. There aren’t any excuses, but we suffered some injuries to some key starters,” Sullinger said.
Looking to this season, the Trojans will be returning a strong lineup, having only graduated one senior. Leading the Trojans will be a strong senior class of seven seeing significant playing time, including captain Amanda Ell, ace pitcher Kati Snodgrass, Kayla Reynolds, iron-woman Kelsey Samenus who played every inning last season, and infielder Kylie Ball who hit several home runs before being injured last year.
Good softball teams tend to be strong up the middle, making Sullinger excited to see his ace pitcher, Snodgrass, and returning starter, catcher Michele Rupard, returning this year. He pointed out the importance of their chemistry stemming from playing summer leagues on the same team along with several other Trojans softball players. Rupard led the team in almost every category last year before getting injured.
“Michele is a very intuitive player so she can kind do some of those coach-on-the-field type of things like settle a pitcher down or lighten the mood,” Sullinger said.
Underclassmen that will be contributing this season include juniors Meghan Nelson and all-conference 1st basemen Malia Wright, sophomore all-conference shortstop Bethany Sullinger and possibly some new faces in terms of incoming freshmen.
Look for the Trojans to make a push for the conference and district titles as well with a couple tough match-ups with Oak Park and Park Hill South.
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