2002: ABAC FASTPITCH OUTLOOK

The Fillies won the GJCAA State title in 2001, which was the fourth title for the ABAC team, as they finished with a 33-21 season record and an18-1 region record. The State Champions returned to the NJCAA National Tournament in Orlando, Fla. for the third time in their short fastpitch history. Although this was the third trip to the Nationals, the Fillies had never won a game at the tournament, but the 2001 team was determined to change that. The Fillies had their best finish ever as they posted two wins and finished 5^th in the National Tournament. The Fillies were seeded 16^th and played the defending National Champions, Utah Valley Community College. It took nine innings, but the Fillies upset the defending champs 4 to 2 in the first round to advance on into the tournament. In the second round the Fillies played #7 ranked Indian Hills Community College from Iowa. The Fillies unleashed an offensive attack that lead them to an 11 to 3 victory and advance to the final six teams on day two of the tournament. Following two straight losses to the evential National champions, Lake City and runner-up, Gulf Coast, the Fillies' play was good enough to place 5^th in the Nation for the 2001 campaign. The Fillies provided excitement for the fans en route to another successful season, continuing the strong softball tradition at ABAC.

Coach Campbell has reloaded for the 2002 season as ten new faces will join nine returning sophomores. The Fillies plan on continuing the assault on the Southeast college fastpitch scene and building their program to a national power.

A highlight this season will be playing in the 1^st Annual NFCA Lead-off Classic to be held in LaGrange, Ga. in March, which includes some of the top ranked junior colleges from all over the country. The Fillies will continue to play a tough schedule including some of the best competition in Florida. Another highlight is near completion of the Red Hill Athletic Complex, located just 50 yards from the Fillie field. The building will house facilities for all of the ABAC spring sports. One section of the facility will house the Fillies dressing room, coach’s office, training room, as well as a private umpire facility and much needed storage. The Fillies players are looking forward to playing their fourth season on their field and enjoying their new softball facility.

Campbell’s Fillies team will return six full time starters in Melissa Botelho, Jackie Moore, Amy Davenport, Kathy Watkins, Carrie Folmar, and Kim Farris. Also returning are Kelly Upton and Latoya Office. Gone from the squad are Kristin Hughes, Christie Ward, Becky Greene, and Laura McGirr. These four players will be sorely missed as they were the core of the 2001 team. Becky and Kristin were again the league’s leading hitters in the GJCAA for the second straight season and were named All-Americans by the NJCAA selection committee. Christie anchored the outfield in centerfield, hitting over .380 and Laura played second base. Christie was also the first Fillie to be named to the Academic All-American Team. The Fillie program will miss these four athletes and wish them success at their four-year colleges.

Coach Campbell has brought in ten freshmen to join eight sophomores. Coach Campbell is excited about the 2002 team with the strong core of Sophomores returning and the potential of the new recruits. The fastpitch tradition is slowly being set and the winning attitude is ever present. With hard work the Fillies will once again be a strong contender in the GJCAA and will hope to defend their GJCAA title in April.

“I feel the strongest attributes of this team will be the pitching and catching.” Jackie Moore, a 20+ game winner will return along with Kim Farris and Amy Davenport. ABAC was also fortunate enough to acquire Molly Busbee, a transfer from Gulf Coast in the late summer. Melissa Botelho, Kelly Upton, and new freshmen catcher Jamie Sorrow will anchor the batteries.” Another key will be the speed Coach Campbell added with recruiting. Along with the speed of Watkins and Office, Coach Campbell brought in Melissa Gail; this speedy trio will surely add to the excitement of Fillie short game. “ I feel we have the pitching and catching in place and if we can manufacture some runs with our speed, I like our chances to repeat as State Champions”

“Defensively our outfield is solid in returning Watkins and Folmar and one of our new freshmen will fit in nicely to cover the grass.” “Our infield will be young, but talented, so as the season progresses, I expect their play to be of championship caliber.”

 “We have a started a great fastpitch tradition at ABAC in just five short years and I feel with our ethics of hard work and dedication, this will be another good ABAC fastpitch team and a fun team to coach. Our goal in this program has always been to have a top-class team who loves to hustle and compete with the best. I strongly believe that with our philosophy of hard work and commitment, and a little luck, we can continue to make our program a regular face at the NJCAA National Tournament.”