Walkers sees stronger season ahead for young Jasper squad
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy JASPER FRESHMAN ANDREIS CASTLE slides safely into home plate as the throw to home plate is out of reach for the Bridge City catcher. Castle also made a spectacular running catch in the outfield.

The Jasper Lady Bulldog softball team ended their season Friday night without a district win; however, Coach Nancy Walker says her group should be stronger next year.

Jasper was a young team this season, a team made up primarily of younger girls with little experience.

"We had only three seniors and a lot of freshmen and sophomores with no playing experience," Walker said. "About three fourths of the way into the season, they began to pick up the game."

Senior Keyna Mason did the good job she always does and even switched positions in order to strengthen the team.

"Keyna did a good job of filling in as catcher," Walker said. "She has played third base and short stop for three years and was able to make that switch and do it well."

The Lady 'Dogs also had veteran pitcher Jesse Cordova.

"Jessie is a senior and was very dedicated and very constant as she always is," she said. "She is always respectful and always there, always working. She's not a strike-out pitcher but she has always been consistent."

Walker said that senior Brittany Shaw was another of her dedicated players.

The team won't have these seniors next year, but they will have some players who showed a lot of improvement. As the season wore on, these younger players began to make some good plays.

"Freshman center fielder Andreis Castle really came along," Walker said. "She got two RBIs against Hardin-Jefferson and made some awesome catches in a several games. She is a good athlete, very strong, and will be able to help us out next year."

Another freshman who demonstrated the ability to play more than one position was shortstop Jocelyn Land. Land made some good defensive plays during the season and then showed her pitching skills.

"When we played Hardin- Jefferson, Jocelyn did an excellent job of pitching. She struck out four and gave up only one run, so we are looking for her to do a good job next year," Coach Walker said.

Walker said that third baseman Murissa Mays had a shoulder injury for awhile, then came back to do a good job. Mays is now a two-year veteran.

"Murissa came back from an injury and did a good job hitting," she said. "She has also done a good job at third and short. She will be back next year."

Like Mays, Chanel Lewis, another veteran, will be back.

“Chanel is a junior and she fills in where we need her. She is quick on the bases and good all around,” Walker said.

JASPER FRESHMAN JOCELYN LAND drives in a run against Bridge City. Land is one of the many younger players that gained experience this season.

First baseman Brittany Bozeman also made a lot of progress over the season. She was able to switch to third against Hardin-Jefferson and also handle that position.

These young players learned a lot this year and should should return with some better fundamental skills. For example, freshman Bailey Richardson, who played second base, had no experience before this year. “Bailey did a good job considering she had never played before, and she is still learning the game,” Walker said. “We will also have Reba Dougharty. She was a sophomore this year, an outfielder and a designated player.”

One of the good things, Walker said, is the new summer program where current players and eighth graders who want to play next season can come out to the field and hit and work out. The field will be open on scheduled days for that purpose.