By Chris Parker
Gainesville softball makes the switch to the spring season this year. The timing was right for the Bulldogs to make the change as finding fall opponents was a challenge.
“Many surrounding schools have switched from fall to spring,” Gainesville head coach Joel Walrath said. “Finding opponents for the fall became very difficult.”
Six starters return from the fall of 2021. Shaking off the rust of being off for so long will be a goal of preseason practice.
“Being off the field for this length of time will make practice time very important,” Walrath said. “We will be behind the teams that played in the fall and must use our practices to catch up quickly.”
Seniors Jenna Uchtman (second base), Brooklynn Bushong (left field), Sailor Anderson (pitcher), Bretlyn Kastning (shortstop) and Jessee Latham (centerfield/catcher).
“We lost three very important leaders last year in Debra Winrod (center), Hallee Donley (shortstop) and Gwendolyn Broderick (first base),” Walrath said. “I am looking for my seniors to step up and take a leadership role.”
Anderson and sophomore Katelyn Morgan will be the team’s pitchers.
“Both of these pitchers usually hit their spots very well and have a couple different pitches to try to keep batters off balance,” Walrath said.
Latham and Emory Warden (junior) will be the catchers.
“Both of these girls will see time behind the plate. Each one bringing their own advantages,” Walrath said. “I will use both according to who we are playing.”
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Kenzie Avila (junior third base) and Leigha Rowland (junior first base) will be on the infield with the seniors.
Morgan will join Latham and Bushong in the outfield.
Pitching and overall experience will be strengths for Gainsville softball.
“Our pitchers are around the plate and will make the batter’s swing,” Walrath said. “Our batting has improved, and these seniors have played together since seventh grade.”
Senior leadership will be key for Gainesville this year.
“I really hope with this group of seniors they will be committed to the cause,” Walrath said. “It is their last year, and I want them to go out with all of the success that they can have.”
Gainesville opens the regular season Mar. 17-18 at the Summit Conference tournament.
