Pitching corps NSU’s strength at season’s start

Overall, the Nicholls State Lady Colonels softball team was pleased with the way the 2008 season went.

But they weren’t completely satisfied.

A walk-off homerun in the bottom of the final inning of play spelled the end of their season in the Southland Conference Championship Game against Stephen F. Austin, ending their Cinderella season one game shy of the NCAA Regionals.

Head coach Jenny Parsons said last year’s success made her team even hungrier entering this season, which begins next Friday against Bryant University at the Centenary Tournament.

“We have had a burning desire to get back on the field,” Parsons said. “The girls have that fire in their gut to get back to that point. We had a great run at the end of last year.”

After three straight trips to the conference tournament, Parsons believes last year’s success benefited her returning players. She believes with their desire, the Lady Colonels could once again make a run at the conference title.

But, she said, it is important for them to remember that 2009 is an entirely different season.

“This is a whole new team, and a brand new season,” Parsons said. “We had a great fall. We went a long time … too long, but we were able to cover a lot. One thing I can say is this team enjoys being around each other. It’s been fun up to this point.”

Despite bringing back the core of her team, Parsons had to replace Kat Harrell and Amy Thibodeaux. Both were first team all-conference selections and combined for 18 homeruns and 60 RBIs.

“That’s a lot of hits and a lot of RBIs that we lose by no longer having those two,” the coach explained. “We can’t replace that. We tried to replace them with five or six new kids; the talent that we have in the freshman class is pretty good, but they certainly don’t have the experience. They’ll have to gain that experience as the season goes on.”

Parsons said she would turn to seniors Danielle Clayton and Kodi Butler to take on a leadership role, as well as Haley Burkett, who Parsons considers her “quiet leader” on the field.

Butler and Clayton combined for 42 RBIs and four homeruns last season to give the Lady Colonels a solid offensive firepower.

Parsons also acknowledged junior Karla Troxler, who after being primarily a pinch runner for her first two years, will finally get the chance to see playing time.

The strongest aspect of the Lady Colonels’ game is expected to be its pitching corps. Despite losing Krystaline Ensminger and Jessica Barksdale to graduation, the Lady Colonels return Lacey Gros and Audrey Wood in their rotation.

Gros, a Houma native, finished last season 9-3 with 99 strikeouts and a 2.46 ERA. Her teammate, Wood, finished last season 8-6 with 56 strikeouts and a 2.58 ERA.

Parsons said she would also turn to Butler and freshman Laura Martinez of Vandebilt Catholic to add depth on the mound.

“We aren’t very deep, but we are very good,” Parsons said of her pitchers. “They will give us the opportunity to win games.”

Fellow freshmen Megan Gaspard and Kayla Watterson, both of Westgate High School in New Iberia, are also expected to play key roles for the Lady Colonels in the outfield and infield, respectively. Sophomore infielders Tori Lay and Whitney Roan will also see significant playing time.

“This team has gelled better than any of the teams I have had in the past,” Parsons said. “It’s a matter of trying to keep that going throughout the year. We have the talent position for position. We have to stay focused. Our goal is to win the conference tournament and get into regionals. We’re just ready to get back out there and get back to work.”

Sophomore Lacey Gros returns to the mound for the Lady Colonels this year. Gros finished last season 9-3 with a 2.43 ERA. * Photo by KEYON K. JEFF