Following a preseason that has been marred by uncooperative weather, Todd Briley is anxious to see the Bastrop Lady Rams on a dry field.
“We’ve been fielding ground balls and hitting in the cage,” said Briley, the Lady Rams’ third head softball coach in three season. “Other than the last couple of weeks, we’ve spent a lot of time in the classroom going over signals and bunt plays. I think the girls are tired of listening to me and ready to start the season.”
During one stretch of rainy weather, Briley played motivational videos to fill practice time.
Bastrop is scheduled to play two preseason scrimmages against quality opponents this week — weather permitting, of course. Tuesday’s scrimmage at Sterlington has been pushed back to Wednesday. On Thursday, the Lady Rams play host to Forest.
“We haven’t been hitting off live pitching,” Briley said. “Forest has one of the top pitchers in the state (Jessie Paris), so we should get a pretty good idea of where we stand.”
Besides filling the void left by the graduation of three of the top five spots in the batting order from last year’s 9-12 squad, the Lady Rams will open the season without basketball players Rosa Bryant and Kari Payton.
“We still have some holes we’re trying to fill,” Briley said. “Hopefully, we’ll have some people show us they are ready to take over those spots.
“We’re still looking for somebody to step up and show us they’re the team leader, whether it’s a freshman or a senior. So far, we haven’t had that.”
Amelia Montgomery (sr.), a two-time first-team All-District selection, Miranda Wyatt (jr.) and Taylor Laborde (jr.) will be called upon to handle the pitching. Montgomery, who is graduating a year early, and Wyatt have split time in the circle the past two seasons.
All three pitchers player other positions. Montgomery also plays third, Miranda Wyatt doubles at shortstop, while the versatile Laborde can catch as well as play short and third.
The remainder of the infield has Stephanie Murray (sr.) and Kelbie Reynolds (jr.) at first base, and Erma Bryant (so.) at second.
Rosa Bryant (so.), a first-team All-District honoree last season, will play shortstop once the basketball playoffs are over.
Muff Davis (so.) is penciled in at left field, with Heather Wyatt (so.) in center and Jalessa Livingston (sr.) or Reynolds in right.
Payton (jr.), who started as a freshman before opting to focus on track last season, will also figure into the outfield equation.
Other candidates for action include pitcher Kassidy Ehrman, utility player Mert Burlew and outfielders Tomassia Jones (so.), Bridget Middlebrooks (jr.) and Stormee Sebren (fr.).
BASTROP —
