THOMASVILLE — Depth in the circle and the roster has Thomasville softball coach Ron O’Quinn optimistic about the potential this year’s squad.

“I’m excited about this team,” O’Quinn said. “I’m excited about seeing the finished product.”

O’Quinn’s positive approach to the 2019 season starts with his team’s pitching staff. Instead of relying on one girl to start the majority of the games on the mound, O’Quinn’s Lady Bulldogs are bolstered this year by having three pitchers who will see significant playing time. 

Senior Allyson Mirick carried the load for most of the season last year as a junior. She’s joined by junior Malorie Turnbull, who’s fully recovered from rotator cuff surgery that sidelined her last year. The Lady Bulldogs also will feature freshman Myla Still.

“We should be really good as far as pitching goes, to handle region,” O’Quinn said. “In double-A, it’s awesome to have more than one arm, it really is. When you’re trying to get to the playoffs and trying to get to Columbus, you play the best 2 out of 3. Having another arm to come in is really awesome.

“A lot of the other teams have had more than one arm. That’s a bonus for Thomasville this year, to have more than one arm.”

Not only is the pitching depth important to Thomasville’s success, its depth on the roster is significant. The Lady Bulldogs will sport a balanced squad that features four seniors, two juniors and the rest sophomores and freshmen. The roster will feature 15 girls, including a couple of transferees.

“Whereas before in the past we relied on one arm, now we’ve got about three girls who can pitch. When one girl is throwing, another can go play in the field. That’s why I’m so excited about the season,” said O’Quinn, who also will have a junior varsity team this year. “I feel like our depth is really good. We’re carrying 15 girls on the varsity, had a couple of girls transfer in. It’s been a great summer.”

He is concerned, thought, about the overall health of his three hurlers as the season moves into late August and September.

“I think that the biggest thing that concerns us right now is making sure that my pitchers are healthy,” O’Quinn said. “That’s one thing that hurts you, if you don’t have healthy pitchers. That’s one thing I want to make sure we’re healthy on is them being ready to go. As the pitchers go, we go.”

At the plate, Mallory Fletcher returns after leading the team in hitting last year and will play shortstop. Grace Hinson, a rising freshman, will play catcher and third base.

“We’re going to count on her a whole lot,” O’Quinn said.

Thomasville fans can get their first look at this year’s squad when it opens with its preseason tournament at home on August 8-10.