Belgreen counts on grit to overcome inexperience

The Belgreen Bulldog girls have to overcome some big losses from the past year’s team, but Coach Susie Tverberg said the team’s competitiveness and grit will win the day.

“We are somewhat young,” said Tverberg, who is in her 16th year as a head coach, “but we are greedy. Greedy in a good way. These girls are competitive. At the end of practice, we are always doing something for them to compete against each other. We hope that carries over to the field.”

Belgreen lost a strong pitcher in Emma Dempsey and a strong hitter in Kelsey Wilson from a team that won the area and finished runner–up in region play before losing to Holy Spirit and Pleasant Home at the state tournament.

Tverberg said offense will be her team’s strength.

“We hit the ball well,” said Tverberg. “We like to play small ball and bunt and move runners around. We put a strong emphasis on being able to bunt. Even our power hitters can bunt the ball in play.

“We want to manufacture runs and put pressure on defenses.”

Defense is an area Tverberg said her team needs to improve upon.

“Our softball IQ needs to get better,” Tverberg said. “We have to get to the point where we react to what happens without thinking about it. We have to be able to read each other better in the field.

“For us to be successful we have to play airtight defense, not give away any freebies and execute in the field.”

Belgreen is in Class 1A, Area 14, with Vina, Hackleburg and Phillips.