By By Jeff Byrd/staff writer
Feb. 21, 2002
It's been a great year so far for Lady Trojan athletics at Northeast Lauderdale.
Lady Trojan teams have won divisional titles in slow-pitch softball, soccer and basketball. To complete a four-way sweep of the major team sports, Northeast will try to add fast-pitch softball to its collection.
The club begins the new fast-pitch season under first-year coach Glen Boothe. The Lady Trojans were 4-8 last year.
Northeast returns eight players from last year's team. More importantly, at least 11 Lady Trojans were on the State 4A runner-up and South State 4A Championship slow-ptich team from last fall.
The dynamics of fast-pitch softball are different, however, as several players are playing different positions from those in slow-pitch.
Case in point is junior Raleigh Odom who was named the Meridian Star's Co-Player of the Year in slow-pitch. Odom who played shortstop for the slow-pitch team, will be behind the plate with the fast-pitch unit.
Katie Bergin, who recently signed a soccer scholarship with Meridian Community College, will play shortstop. Amber Gray moves to third base while Lauren Webb will take up her old position at second base.
Webb will also be counted on to pitch behind starter Jana Olzack. When Webb pitches, Savanah Hall will play second. Jennifer Bristow is at first.
Boothe says the experience of playing together last year and again this fall should help the Lady Trojans this season.
The outfield is still a bit unsettled. Grace Ann Watkins will open in center. April Harper will be in right. Left field remains a question mark.
The Lady Trojan season begins on Saturday night against Enterprise. The club has scheduled 19 games. Divisional foes will include Quitman, South Jones, West Jones and Northeast Jones.