2009:  ABAC FASTPITCH OUTLOOK

     The Fillies have reloaded for the 2009 campaign.  Last year, the Fillies finished with a record of 29 wins and 22 losses and a 3^rd place finish in XVII.  The 2009 Fillies team will comprise of five returning sophomores, one sophomore transfer, and eleven new freshmen.  The Fillies will be a young team again in 2009, but with the experience of the 5 sophomores, this young team should develop well as the season progresses and will once again be a contender for the GJCAA title.  The ABAC fastpitch winning tradition is a strong one and we have high hopes that we will get back on top this season.

      Coach Campbell is excited to return five sophomores for the 2009 season who all gained valuable experience during their freshman year.  Returning on the mound will be pitcher Erin Searcy who had a great freshman year posting a 14 – 8 record with a 2.28 ERA.  “Erin is a competitor and I am excited to have such a strong pitcher returning for the 2009 season and I will count on her leadership abilities to help this young team develop on the field, says Campbell.”   In the outfield, Campbell will return two starters who played in all 51 games as freshmen.  Lauren Potts will return in left field and Lauren Moyer in right field.  “I am happy to return two solid performers in our outfield and I expect both Laurens to have great sophomore years.  Potts hit .298 last season and I expect her to improve on her average and be a key hitter in the Fillie lineup.  Moyer is capable of big things at the plate and I will look for her to be a consistent hitter for us in 2009, states Campbell.”  Behind the plate, the Fillies will return Rachelle Adkins who caught all 51 games as a freshman.  “Rachelle is a warrior behind the plate and just a tough competitor and I will look for her to be that leader on the field again this season, states Campbell.”   Finishing out the returning players will be utility player, Jessica Corbett.  “Jessica came to us as a walk on last season and became a big asset to our Fillie team.  She possesses the ability to hit, bunt and run, so I expect more great things from Jess in 2009, states Campbell.” 

      The eleven new Fillies are a talented group of players who have worked hard this fall to learn the Fillie system.  Seven new, talented freshmen infielders will join the sophomores.  Chelsey Edelberg, Katelyn Smith, Kristen Gregory, Alyssa Simmons, Chelsie Mathis, Ashley Martin, and Sara Beth Clifton are all new faces in the Fillie infield.  Edelberg is a first baseman who comes to us from Dahlonega, Ga., Smith, a third baseman from Jones County High School, Gregory, another third baseman comes to us from Griffin High School, Simmons, a second baseman from Cook County High School, Chelsie Mathis comes to us from Northgate High School and also plays second base, Martin will be used as a utility player in the infield and is from LaGrange, Ga., and Sara Beth Clifton will join the Fillies this Spring coming from Ware County High School and is a shortstop.

    In the outfield, the Fillies will have a new face in Erin Gillis who played her high school ball at Northgate and will anchor the outfield in center field.  Behind the plate helping Adkins with the catching duties will be Nicki Kinner from Evans High School.  On the mound, Searcy will be joined by Kirsten Duncan from South Paulding County and Courtney Beam from Madison County High School. 

      Campbell’s expectations for 2009:  “I believe we have put together back to back great recruiting classes as our talent level is the highest it has been in awhile.  The sophomores are a dedicated group of athletes who work hard and love the game.  My sophomore players were a joy to coach in 2008 and I will count heavily on them to be the leaders I need in 2009 with this large freshmen class.  This fall has been wonderful, as the players have been a pleasure to coach as they work hard and seem to already have that special chemistry a team needs in order to achieve great things.  I feel that we have an excellent chance to get back on top in the GJCAA if we can stay healthy and continue to improve and grow as a team in the Spring.  We have a lot of improving to do, but so far I couldn’t be more pleased with the effort they have shown this Fall.  As the players continue to work, they will improve as they make that necessary transition from the high school level to the college level.”

      “We have a great fastpitch tradition at ABAC 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 in the nation and an exciting team to watch.  I strongly believe that with our philosophy of hard work and commitment, and a little luck, we can continue to keep our program always in contention for the GJCAA state title.”