Local Sports
TU softball to open against Faulkner
THOMASVILLE — Softball season starts today for Thomas University.
It’s also the start of Bill Wilson’s second year as the Lady Night Hawks head coach. After a 16-25 record a year ago, Wilson is optimistic about his team’s chances.
“The girls have done real well and are working hard,” said Wilson, whose team hosts Faulkner University in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. “We’re excited to get started.”
TU returns eight players that saw ample playing time a year, four of which are starters. Among the returnees are catcher Maggie Allen, the team’s second-leading hitter last year at .308. She also belted three homers and 24 RBIs. Rachel Canaganelli, who also batted .308 in ’09, returns at shortstop. Kenna Hickman will see time at first and third base. After playing in the outfield, Brook Brown will patrol second base.
“I thought she should have been my starter at second base last year,” Wilson said. “This year, she’s really come in and worked hard. I think she’s going to definitely help us there.”
TU is looking for improvement at the plate. In ’09, TU had only three players bat at least .300. The Lady Night Hawks averaged just four runs a game. In preseason so far, however, Wilson has seen significant improvement with his players at the plate.
“Early on, it’s usually slow. I am pleased with the way they’ve approached the hitting and listening to learn,” Wilson said. “We had a few of them last year that they didn’t want to listen for a while. It takes a long time if you’re not willing to listen.
“This year, everybody is working extremely hard.”
A positive for TU is its experience on the mound. The Lady Night Hawks utilized only three pitchers last season, two of which return this year. Courtney Scruggs and Christina Skullas combined for 37 starts and 235 innings in ’09. Scruggs tallied a 3.99 ERA. Skullas notched a team-high eight wins. “The way they’ve looked so far, they’ve really done well,” Wilson said. “We picked it up towards the end of last year. Maybe we’ll get started fast (this year).”
Freshman Ashley Werschmidt is expected to challenge for starting time as well.
“Ashley was a good pitcher coming out of high school. I don’t think she’s up with other two yet,” Wilson said. “We’re hoping that she will continue to work hard and do what she’s been doing to get out there and help us out.”
Following today’s twin bill, TU will host Montreat College and the University of Mobile this weekend. The teams will play each other once on Saturday and once on Sunday. TU will not play in Thomasville again until March 19. Wilson is hopeful his team can compete against a very tough schedule.
“We’ve got an extremely hard schedule. I just looked at the preseason NAIA top 25 in the country, and I think we’re playing 12 of them on our schedule,” Wilson said. “We’ve got a tough schedule. In the same breath, I’ve always scheduled tough teams because I think the only way you get better is to play tough teams and keep working at it.
“It usually takes two or three years to get everything back on track. I think we’re heading in the right direction.”
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THS, Central, Cairo attend Bainbridge camp
Footballs were flying all over the practice fields adjacent to Bainbridge High School Thursday afternoon.
Thomasville, Thomas County Central, Cairo, along with two schools from Alabama and Leon (Fla.) participated in a passing camp at Bainbridge. The three-hour long passing league drew rave reviews from those in attendance. -
Yellow Jackets making strides in passing leagues
Another summer day gone by, another passing session under Thomas County Central’s belt.
The Yellow Jackets hosted a 7-on-7 passing league with Lowndes Wednesday afternoon.
The two teams threw for almost two hours at Central practice field. With Central set to compete in its last passing league today in Bainbridge, head coach Bill Shaver likes the progression his team has made on offense and defense. -
Folsom galloping ahead
Horseback riding came natural for Landrie Folsom — so, too, has winning.
It’s only natural that a national championship is in the Thomasville resident’s future, right?
That’s the dream Folsom will carry with her this weekend when she participates in the Junior Hunter Finals and Hunterdon Cup Equitation to be held in Lexington, KY on Aug. 2-5. Folsom is excited about participating on the national stage but understands how tough the competition will be. -
Drew still undecided about collegiate future
Ray Drew is still undecided.
By all accounts, Thomas County Central fans will have to wait until Signing Day, 2011, to find out where the highly-recruited senior will play collegiate football.
Speaking five days before the start of fall practice, the Central senior gave no hints as to who his favorites were. He’d like to keep it that way. -
East has mixed feelings with Brookwood’s play in camp
The run-oriented Brookwood Warriors got an extensive look at their passing attack this week.
The Warriors attended a Fellowship of Christian Athletes passing camp at Georgia Southern, Monday-Wednesday. Brookwood competed in a passing league that included such schools as Cook, Irwin County, South Effingham and Long County. -
Cairo passing camp a success
Cairo’s eight-team football camp continues to be a passing success.
Thomas County Central, Bainbridge and Valdosta joined the Syrupmakers and four schools from Florida to compete in 7-on-7 drills Thursday morning. - Bombers to host tournament
- Little League set for another year
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YMCA swimmers qualify for state event
The Thomasville YMCA took 26 swimmers to Tifton on for the 2010 GRPA district swim meet. All qualified for the state championships in Tifton in two weeks.
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Haskins running wild
Nathan Haskins has lofty goals for his cross-country career.
Running in a marathon is next for the Thomasville native. - More Local Sports Headlines
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