2012 Bay County softball preview capsules
The 2012 Bay County softball season preview capsules:
Arnold
Head coach : Rick Green, fifth year
2011: Record 23-8, runner-up in district, lost in first round of regional.
Leading returners: Katie Godfrey (sr., C), Maddie Kolovich (sr., 2B), Delaney Dempsey (jr., P), Jordan Lanton (jr., OF), Jade Sankey (jr., 1B), JoJo Booker (jr., OF), Shannon Godfrey (so., IF/P), Dana Edmundson (so., OF).
Others to watch: Sarah Roberson (so., OF), Kailyn Helms (jr., OF), Sarah Robertson (fr., IF/C), C.J. Crumbley (IF, injured reserve).
Notable: Katie Godfrey has signed with Chipola … Arnold will be playing in District 1-5A along with Rutherford, Bay, Gulf Breeze and West Florida. … Ashley Booker and Ray Ezell are assistant coaches.
Quotable: “As I have told the players, we have the most athletic group since I have been here at Arnold. However, we have not proved anything yet and must play together in order to be successful.” — Rick Green
Bay
Head coach: Nicole Newsome, second year
2011 season: 11-12
Leading returners: Abigail Burnett (sr., SS/P), Lanae Mortz (sr., 1B), C.J. Brantley (jr., OF), Haley Melnik (so., 3B/OF).
Others to watch: Emily Locher (sr., P/2B/OF), Ashley Beason (jr., C/1B), Keietta Searles (sr., OF/UT), Jelly Mathes (fr., P/2B).
Key losses: Courtney Jones, Sarah Harris.
Notable: Assistant coach is Johnny Newsome. … captains are Abigail Burnett and C.J. Brantley. … the district comprises Bay, Rutherford, Arnold, Gulf Breeze and West Florida.
Quotable: “We have a solid team this year with a lot of talent and experience. We are anticipating a successful season.” — Nicole Newsome
Bozeman
Head coach: Loren Tillman, second year
2011: Set a school record for wins in a season.
Leading returners: Kinsley Faulkenberry (jr., C), Nicole Migliori (jr., 1B), Ashley Davis (so., IF/P), Becca Hall (so., IF), Hannah Redding (jr., OF), Amber Wade (so., OF/C).
Others to watch: Brettni Barnes (fr., P).
Biggest losses: Brittany Benefield.
Notable: Bozeman returns nine starters, although there are no seniors on the squad … the Bucks are in a new district with state power Liberty County. … Barnes pitched in five varsity games as an eighth-grader with a 2-0 record. … Faulkenberry, Migliori and Davis all hit over .500 for the season.
Quotable: “If we throw strikes, the defense should be very sound and we will score runs. Our goal is to make the playoffs.” — Loren Tillman
Mosley
Head coach: Brian Wilke, fifth year, 62-39.
2011: Disrrict runner-up fourth straight year.
Leading returners: Jill Johnson, Brooke Wilke, Andrea McKenzie, Selena Estrada, Morgan Walters, Katie Lopes.
Others to watch: Graysen Gladden, Kinzie Harrington, Destiny Perrin, Athena Krastas, Mallory Harrigill.
Key losses: Megan Creel, Aubrie Brown, Whitney Hostetler, Ashley Welch.
Notable: Wilke believes that the Dolphins are competing in one of the toughest districts in the state.
Quotable: “This will be an exciting group to watch. I look forward to getting the season started.” — Brian Wilke
Rutherford
Coach: David Barron, third year
2011: 12-12. Back-to-back county champions, regional qualifier consecutive years
Leading returners: Amanda Moses (sr.), Chelsey Childers (sr.), Becca Taylor (jr.), Paige Williamsen (jr.).
Others to watch: April Wimberly (sr.), Kaylyn Julian (jr.), Kayla Whitaker (jr.), Jessie Powell (so.), Aaliyah Maiben (so.), Curstin Taylor (fr.), Bridget Keasey (fr.), Shay Potter (fr.), Allison Thigpen (fr.), Amber Myron (fr.), Cheyenne Beck (fr.)
Key loses: N/A
Notable: Rutherford is in a new district with Bay, Arnold, West Florida Tech, and Gulf Breeze. … Amanda Moses, Chelsey Childers, and Becca Taylor are returning all-county players. … assistant coaches are Rudy Cutchin, Mike Nethero and Katie Cutchin.
Quotable: “Having qualified for the regionals the last two years, we are excited about building on that success. We have all the key elements: pitching, catching, hitting, and overall team speed to have a great year.” — David Barron
