Gilbert softball ambitious and eager for season

WINSTED — The Yellowjackets softball program has struggled in recent years, but a solid core of returning athletes and hopeful prospects hitting the field this season may open the door for a strong season performance.Gilbert head coach Mark Douglass was forced to fill some major gaps in his roster this season after losing a few key players to graduation as well as readjusting some returns who look to fill new roles this season. Longtime Gilbert catcher Brook Davis graduated last year and will likely be replaced by last year’s hurler, Emily Owens. Douglass said Owens may still share some of the team’s bullpen labors, but will likely spend the lion’s share of the season as the other part of Gilbert’s battery.Douglass had two other key spots to fill on his roster. Douglass said first base will be shared by two of his core returners, Ashley Clement and Shannon Tuozzo. The designated hitter spot required a replacement as well, likely filled this year by newcomer Amanda Root.Gilbert welcomes back a number of solid veteran ballplayers, including Courtney Hoxie, Jen Fritch, Rachel Wendell, Mackenzie Russo and Jess Shotwell. Douglass has worked over the years to sharpen his core’s awareness and understanding of the game, and marks a noticeable improvement this season. “We have been working on getting the girls to think more and know all aspects of the game,” said Douglass “Once they know the situations they can make those defensive plays where instead of being a step safe, they will be a step out.”Shotwell has been the Jackets’ go-to starting pitcher for a few seasons, but a shoulder injury suffered in the volleyball season has knocked her off the mound into centerfield. To fill the gap at the hill, Douglass looks to freshman prospect Jamie LeChance. “We scrimmaged in Waterbury, and I saw some good things from LeChance,” said Douglass “She pitched well. She won’t blow people away, but she has good control and a little bit of speed. As long as we make routine plays behind her, we won’t beat ourselves.” Douglass rounds out the bullpen with another promising freshman pitcher, Nichole Crossman, who has surprised her coach with strong improvement.This year’s Jackets are notably speedy on the bases, a quality Douglass intends to use to the fullest. “They have been better about not swinging at bad pitches and finding ways to get on base,” said Douglass “We need to be aggressive on the base paths and find a way to score some runs without getting a lot of hits.” Douglass acknowledged that his team’s innate speed alone would not be enough to compete in the league. “Our hitting is coming around, but we need to get better at it,” said Douglass “We have a great deal of team speed but it won’t do us any good if we can’t get on base. We have some hitters and we have some speed and we will have to use that to force other teams to make the plays to beat us.”After finishing 3-17 overall last year, the Jackets are eager to improve and do not consider a run at the state tournament improbable. “If they improve their understanding of the game, make those routine plays and force the other team to make mistakes we should have some success,” said Douglass “It is going to be a fun year. The girls are really excited and are ambitious to make state tournament this season — something we haven’t done in the last few years.”Gilbert faces Shepaug at home on Friday, April 8, at 3:45 p.m.

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