www.roanoke.com

Justin Cook | The Roanoke Times

Floyd County High School softball coach Wes Starkey talks to his team after practice. "Our goal is to make the final four in Radford," Starkey says. "That was the goal last year and we came up a little short, and that is clearly the goal this year."

Floyd County's Amber Ingram (center) helps Toshya Overstreet stretch during practice. Overstreet is one of the players who took a challenge to jump into frigid waters earlier this year. The players say the challenge was not only a big bonding experience, but also showed they were ready to challenge their lofty goals for the season.

| Chuck Altizer

Special to The Roanoke Times

FLOYD -- The Floyd County High School softball team is up for any challenge -- even if it is a little cold.

A training trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C., in January proved that when a challenge was issued and four members of the squad accepted.

Junior center fielder Jessica Hall was the first to dive subfreezing outdoor swimming on a dare before fellow outfielder Toshya Overstreet, pitcher Amber Ingram and third baseman Jenna Pendleton followed.

The Polar Bear Club jaunt was not only a big bonding experience, but also showed they were ready to challenge their lofty goals.

"Definitely," Hall said about her team's willingness to accept any challenge. "Even if it is a stupid one."

Senior first baseman Courtney Smith balked at the idea but admitted it was a sign of team unity.

"It was freezing cold outside, and I decided I'm not going to do that," she said. "I think they were crazy but they all jumped in and they did it together and being together is what we have to do to be successful as a team."

Now they look to accept the challenge of their coach.

"If they accepted that challenge, they'll certainly accept my challenge of getting out of a good district, a good region and make it to state," said Buffaloes coach Wes Starkey, who found out later about the team's exploits at the team hotel in Myrtle Beach.

Reason for optimism is high in Floyd as the team returns eight starters from a team that reached the state tournament last year.

Hall, Overstreet and Katie Long all return in the outfield, while Smith, Pendleton and shortstop Kat Mills return to their positions.

Ingram toes the mound and will pitch to returning catcher Alexis Roop. The challenge for the Buffaloes may be replacing all-state second baseman Marissa Bowman as several vie for her position.

"Our goal is to make the final four in Radford," Starkey said. "That was the goal last year and we came up a little short, and that is clearly the goal this year."

Ingram agreed.

"We are hoping to make the final four and we have a good chance because we are a strong team in all areas," said the pitcher, who spilled the beans about the pool hijinks. "We have high goals and high expectations, and we plan on getting there."

Overstreet described the pool experience as the Buffaloes prepared to freeze out their competition.

"It was like needles poking you," she said. "It was such an adrenaline rush and was amazing. We had a good time and bonded as a team and feel that whatever we are faced with we can do our best to handle the situation."

Auburn High School graduated two of the best softball players ever to wear the Eagle blue in Tabby Whitlock and Heather Dindinger.

Even though it looks like a rebuilding year in Riner, coach David Hurd warns that you shouldn't sleep on the Eagles.

"We are young but we are not starting over by any means," he said. "I like the fact that everyone is looking past Auburn. Last time we had this much uncertainty with this much talent, we nearly won 20 games.

"I'm not going to say we are going to do that this year but we're interesting -- I don't know if this book is going to have a happy ending but it is going to be a good book."

Four freshmen led by pitchers Olivia Cleary and Amber Linkous are expected to see significant time for the Eagles.

Jordan Watson is an athletic shortstop, and Sarah Smith will get a look at catcher as they begin their four years at Auburn.

Kristen Campbell and Joelle Gross are returning starters, while Ashley Sowers saw time on the mound. Holly Saul, Samantha Smith and Haley Shepard were part of a deep bench last season and will have their chance to shine this season.

Defensive miscues have been Giles High School's undoing in recent years, despite a lineup full of power for coach Steve Wilson, but improvement appears to be in the works.

Senior Rachel Smith, who Wilson describes as a five-tool player, will lead the Giles attack that lost just three seniors last season. Amanda Byrd is a speedy outfielder that hit nearly .500 last year and was a perfect 32-for-32 in stolen bases. Shanda Higginbotham returns at second, while the Spartans will welcome the return of the powerful Kathryn Stump, who missed most of last season with a torn ACL.

On the mound, Hannah Kellison returns as the ace and has been the victim of poor defensive play by the Spartans in the past. Kellison is not an overpowering pitcher but hits her spots, making solid defense important for her style.

"We need great defense," Wilson said. "Normally we have been top as far as hitting but the defense has let us down in the past. We are getting better, but we have a long way to go to get us there."

Radford lost about half of its lineup from a season ago for coach David Morris but does have a core at pitcher and catcher to build from.

Senior Nikki Tibbs will be more key this year after splitting time with Sarah Donnelly last season. She will have veteran catcher Ashley Easter behind the plate.

Ashley Phipps is the third senior returning and appears to be manning first, while a pair of juniors, Kelly Davis at third and Rebecca Williams at second, return as well. Williams led the team in average and fielding percentage last year while being named first team all-district, and Davis has emerged as a big surprise with her arm and hitting ability.

At one time the Mustangs of Eastern Montgomery High School were considered a given victory in the Three Rivers District but this season teams will have to come to play.

"When we walked on the field it was like we were playing such and such and didn't think we could win, now with our mindset, we should be able to be fairly even," said coach Mike Harris. "Just like any underdog, don't count us out."

Amber Yerg is a three-year starter on the mound, and she will be joined in the infield by four other returning starters.

Kristi Shelton and Vanessa Underwood man the field up the middle at short and second respectfully, while the Phoenix sisters of senior Heather and sophomore Alaina return as well. Heather returns to first base, while Alaina moves from the outfield to behind the plate.

Youth will be served in Narrows this year for coach Jessica Gwaltney, but even though wins have been hard to come by in past seasons optimism is running high.

Four juniors are returning for the Green Wave, led by shortstop Cameron Snidow. Abby Davis will battle for a pitching spot with Brittany Kast, and Brittany Perdue returns as well.

A new addition appears to be earning the second baseman job as junior Starla Reed, a tremendous athlete on the basketball team, will suit up in softball for the first time in high school.

Pulaski County High School will be rebuilding this season after the Cougars graduated 10 seniors last season for coach Gina Miano.

Kaitlin Smith, a sophomore, returns on the mound, and Casey Holcomb will patrol shortstop as a junior returnee. Salem transfer Tori Hale, who played for Pulaski County her first two seasons, returns to the Cougars for her senior year and should lock down an outfield position.

"We are very young," Miano said. "We have good speed and we have to take advantage of that, and a key for us is gaining experience each time out."

Christiansburg returns seven starters for coach Harold Osborne and he hopes that experience will help the Demons gel as a team.

"We are a little more mature and have more depth then we have had in the past," Osborne said. "That makes a big difference because we are acting like we are more of a team."

Two seniors -- shortstop Brittany Browles and third baseman Jamie Hoffer -- lead the offense, while sophomore catcher Paige Wright and second baseman Sara Martin return as well.

Returning on the mound is junior Emily Wallace. The Demons will also be helped out by three newcomers in freshman Makennah Hellman and senior Carlie Peters, who will play for the first time since the eighth grade. Michigan transfer Jordan Benedict appears to be in the mix as well.

Blacksburg High School has been through a lot not only in softball, but in all sports with the Bruins' gym situation but eight returning starters give reason for hope for coach John Shockley.

"We challenged people last year," he said. "We want to be able to take more than our fair share of games this season. We just have to put it all together and be consistent."

Pitcher Leah Potts returns after carrying most of the load last season. Potts will be helped by freshman Emma Lambertson, who could also see time elsewhere on the field.

Two seniors, Emily Guinn and Kelly Shaver, are expected to man the corners at third and first, respectively, while Allie Cohill returns as a senior catcher after being an all-league selection last year.

Pathway Christian Academy is starting its second season of varsity softball.

Coach Joyce Gordon hopes to build on the team that gained valuable experience last season.