By Chris Parker
Marshfield softball will look to be an offensive force this year behind several players with starting varsity experience.
“We have a solid group of returning starters with varsity experience. We will have to focus a lot on our offensive abilities and particularly our ability to hit for power and score runs early,” Marshfield head coach Jessica Gorham said.
One of the team leaders will be senior Takiya Douglas who was an honorable mention all-conference selection in the outfield last season.
“Takiya Douglas brings several years of experience and will be the glue that holds this team together with her positive, fun-loving attitude,” Gorham said.
Douglas scored 12 runs with 9 RBI while hitting .324 last season.
Alaura Padgett is another player that Gorham highlighted as a team leader. Padgett, first baseman, scored 13 runs while knocking in 13 more while hitting .333.
“Alaura Padgett brings a level of maturity and true grit and determination to practice and games that provides our team with an excellent example of what it means to compete,” Gorham said.
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Marshfield will use three pitchers in the circle including Macie Warren (junior), Macie Vestal (sophomore) and Halle Menzies (freshman). Warren threw 40 innings with 14 strikeouts last season. Vestal was a key offensive contributor leading the team with 18 runs scored.
Megan Petty (junior) and Kirsten Ward (sophomore) will be behind the plate at catcher. Ward led the team with 16 RBI and an on-base percentage of .438 last season.
Ally Harrison (junior) will be in the middle infield. Alissa Hughey (junior) and Lauren Luebbert (freshman) will be key contributors in the outfield.
This team will have to focus on getting off to good offensive starts to find success.
“Our biggest challenge has been scoring runs early,” Gorham said. “We need to be able to produce runs early in order to take some pressure off our pitchers and our defense.”
Marshfield will be playing without last year’s starting pitcher Morgan Green. The sophomore was diagnosed with Leukemia in July.
“Our starting pitcher from last year, Morgan Green, was diagnosed with Leukemia about two weeks ago, so we will very much miss her in our starting line-up this year. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers as she goes through extensive rounds of chemotherapy for the next six months,” Gorham said.
Marshfield opens the season on Aug. 29 at the Halfway Tournament.
“Our expectation for this season is to compete with every team we face,” Gorham said. “We will look to build on our team chemistry and focus on coming together as a team in order to compete in every game.”
