MOULTRIE —
The Colquitt County softball team would like to improve on its 2010 record of 16-13 this season and took the first steps in that direction by going 11-5 in its summer schedule.
The Lady Packers began conditioning on Monday with 34 girls on the field. The official first day of practice is Aug. 1 and the team will hold tryouts that day.
Colquitt will play its scrimmage on Aug. 9 at home against Berrien. The regular season opens on Aug. 12-13 in a tournament in Waycross.
Lady Packers coach Carman Phillips said she was encouraged by the summer work. Colquitt, which finished third in Region 1-AAAAA last fall, will count on its six seniors for run production, defense and leadership.
Three-time All-Region 1-AAAAA selection Meagan May heads the list of seniors that also includes Hannah Hancock, Jordan Taylor, Allie McCracken, T.K. Courtney and Blanca Fuentes.
Hancock, who went 8-3 with a 2.78 ERA last fall, also was an All-Region pick last year.
Phillips says she has a large group of underclassmen, including rising sophomores Taylor Owens and Ainsley Davis, both of whom were All-Region players as freshmen last year.
Davis batted .423 and led the Lady Packers with 18 runs batted in last year. She also was 8-8 as a pitcher with a 3.38 ERA.
Owens batted .380 and led the team with 10 doubles.
Summer work enabled Phillips and assistant coach — and husband — John Phillips begin looking for replacements last year’s seniors: Stephanie Blair, Kaytlyne Jarvis and Ann Laura Beason.
Colquitt also will be without returning infielder Shameka Reynolds, who will undergo knee surgery
The summer began when the Colquitt County girls again played host to the Little Lady Packer camp, which drew some 75 young players.
“I was some impressed with our girls and their work ethic,” Carman Phillips said of how well her players worked with the younger girls. “They know those kids are looking up to them.”
Colquitt then worked two weeks, took a week off and worked another week, playing 16 games.
Carman Phillips said he had a core group of 25 girls who played during the summer.
On June 27-28, members of the Mercer University staff held a camp at Packer Park and players from Colquitt County, Tift County, Lowndes and Coffee attended.
“It was good,” Carman Phillips said. “It was something we really needed.”
Colquitt will open Region 1-AAAAA play on Sept. 8 against Lowndes at Packer Park.
Local Sports
Lady Packers begin preparations for 2011 season
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Championship team
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Mite Girls champions
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Tennis top scholars
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Softball resumes
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More Packers sign to play, others receive offers
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