Due to the snow making it nearly impossible for spring sports to get going outside on time, teams must make due with practices in gyms or cleared off parking lots. For the Walpole High Girls Softball team, conditioning and hitting in the batting cages has been the main focus during this snowy preseason. Between sharing open space in the gym and parking lots, the Rebels look forward to doing what they can to prepare for the upcoming 2014-15 season.
“We will spend a lot of time in the gym and we’ll have to get creative: a lot of batting practice off tee’s, soft-toss, wiffle balls, just working on mechanics so that once we are thrown into a game situation, we will be prepared.” said Varsity Coach, Rachael Sprague.
Captains are yet to be named for this spring season, but Sprague feels confident in her six returning seniors to act as leaders. “With so many returning upperclassmen this year, I am really hoping that they will all see themselves as leaders”, Sprague added. Returning seniors include catcher Colleen Semler, first base Maddy Oser and Amanda Torigian, second base Julie Moser, third base Natalie Lydon, and shortstop Lindsey Bruen.
Besides losing four graduates last year, including starting pitcher Steph Sem, key defensive player Mehron Hoag, and go-to runners Casey Songin and Lauren Regan, the team is still primarily made up of returning players.
Juniors Julia Adams and Melissa Cochrane have been working in the offseason to fill the holes in the pitching rotation, previously held by Sem, last season’s captain.
Semler said, “I think losing 4 starting players will definitely have an impact on us. Besides [Cochrane] stepping up as the starting pitcher now, our infield includes mostly returning players and will be extremely strong.”
Junior Lisa Regan will contribute in the outfield while acting as a backup catcher for Semler.
Sprague said, “We have a few talented pitchers coming in so I am confident that won’t be a huge adjustment.”
The first game of the season is scheduled for April 1 against Newton North given the fields are recovered from the harsh winter. Last season, the Rebels fell short to Newton North by one in extra innings.
Senior Natalie Lydon said, “Bridgewater-Raynham and Newton North will probably be our biggest competition this season.”
In just her second season as head coach last year, Coach Rachael Sprague led the Varsity squad to postseason qualification ending the regular season with a record of 10-10. The Rebels were the 19 seed in the state tournament. Walpole won their first round tournament game against Plymouth South before a second round loss to the Marshfield Rams brought an end to their season. Also a math teacher at Walpole High School, Sprague, entering her third year coaching for Walpole, sees a bright future for this year’s group.
“The girls are talented enough to beat some really good teams. I am very confident in our chances this year for tournament and hope to do a little better than ending 10-10 this season so we can get a better seed.”
