By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
Norwood first-year coach Cole Garnette has been impressed with the winning attitude of the Lady Pirates.
Norwood claimed the Class 1 District 1 championship last year and followed up winning its last nine games in the spring.
“The girls come out for each game believing they have the potential to win every time,” Garnette said. “That’s great. In any competition or athletic event, you have to believe you can win before you can.”
It all starts in the center circle for Norwood and pitcher Maddie Campbell, a Class 1 All-State Second-Team selection last season.
“Having Maddie is a huge advantage for us,” Garnette said. “(She) is able to throw multiple games a day no matter the situation and is willing to throw that much and is always wanting to get better. We feel she is going to have a great year.”
Campbell has the luxury of throwing once again to her batterymate and classmate, catcher Jayden Chambers, who was also a Class 1 All-State Second-Team selection last year.
“Pitcher and catcher are arguably the two most important spots on a softball field, and to have a pair that have done it their whole careers and can be in sync with each other might make all the difference in some tight games,” Garnette said.
Chambers is unique as a catcher and accomplished base-stealer.
“It’s remarkable the athleticism that Jayden possesses,” Garnette said. “She’s one of those players that, if she gets on base, you have to account for her stealing at least one, maybe two bases. That puts a lot of pressure on the opposing pitcher and defense, knowing that she is basically in scoring position at first base.”
Garnette has question marks regarding the rest of his lineup. He’s looking forward to the competition bringing out the best in his players.
“As a new coach, I haven’t decided what my lineup is going to look like,” he said. “We are going to have some upperclassmen and some underclassmen all take the field and get at-bats. My goal (is to) be competitive every single day in practice and every single game. I’ve always had a philosophy of doing things right the first time and every time. For me, every rep matters every single day.”
Another of Garnette’s philosophies he hopes to instill in his team is to be aggressive.
“I’ve never believed in going to the plate looking for a walk or waiting for the other team to give you something,” he said. “We will want to go take it. I want my team swinging at good pitches, no matter what the count is. If it’s a pitch we can drive and get extra bases or score some runs on, that’s what we intend on doing.”
Garnette comes to Norwood after a successful stint as girls basketball coach at Dora. He’s incorporating some of what he learned in basketball to softball.
“I’m coming from a basketball background where everything is constantly moving and practices are fast-paced and changing constantly,” he said. “I’m using that and applying it to softball practices and the girls have responded well and seemed to enjoy it this summer.”
Garnette is hopeful Norwood can repeat as district champs.
“I would like to think we can (win districts) again, but you have to come out and earn it,” he said. “I’m not going to say we should win another one, but I believe that we certainly have the capability.”
