SPRING SPORTS 2009: Lady Indians Softball Ready to Surprise
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Du Quoin High School's Girls Softball team hopes to slip under the radar and pull plenty of surprises in 2009.
The Lady Indians-with 10 returning letter winners and a talented crop of newcomers-open play Saturday in a home doubleheader against Marissa-Coulterville.
"This season I know we are going to come out and shock a lot of people," fifth year Du Quoin coach Jason James (59-68) said. "Again we are the underdogs and nobody out there knows much about us. We are a team of no names that's been working hard and we are going to play extremely hard."
Junior Chelsea Hill-already a two-time River-to-River All-Conference selection-returns to the pitchers circle. She'll also see time in the infield, outfield and bat second in James' order.
Hill and classmate Ashley Hess (2B) were voted co-captains of the squad and are the lone juniors on the 18-player Lady Indian roster.
Three seniors-Kasi Camden (1B, seven home runs in 2008), Caitlin Williams (3B-DP) and Micah Ward (1B-P-OF)-will likely return to starting spots several underclassmen fighting for the other positions.
Sophomore power hitter Heather Cavins and freshman transfer Jessy Wallace handle catching chores. Megan Edwards, another talented freshman, is moving from behind the plate to centerfield as James hopes to utilize her outstanding speed.
Frosh Jessica Hirsch will be the shortstop and is expected to hit leadoff while adding more speed on the bases. Last spring's starting shortstop, Camden, has been moved to first with the arrival of Hirsch.
Sophomore Curry Emling returns to rightfield with M. Ward, freshman Megi Jones, sophomore Kelsey Toler (IB-0F) competing for the leftfield job.
Michaela Brown (frosh., IF-OF-P), Erica Rainwater (fr., 2B-OF-P), Keawna Anders (1B, fr.) and the sophomore duo of Stefanie Gates (3B) and Ashley Ward (2B-SS-OF) are among the infield hopefuls.
Freshman outfielders Stephanie Bishop and Shelby Presley complete the roster.
"We have really came out and worked more on fundamentals this year," said James. "And we have spent a lot of off-season time in the weight room getting stronger and doing a lot more conditioning. The girls have worked hard and I am proud of them."
Last year, the Lady Indians were 12-21 with Hill, Camden, Hess, Cavins, M. Ward, Williams and Emling all starting at least on a part-time basis.
Graduation losses included four-year starting pitcher/DP Chelsea Kremer (St. Agnes, Ga.), outfielder Chasity Tilley (Rend Lake Volleyball) and catcher Ashley Hagston (Shawnee).
"We'll take each game one inning, one out and one pitch at a time," James adds. "We won't worry about who we are playing but how we are playing and if we do that, we will win more than we lose."
Du Quoin again tackles a top-flight schedule that includes tournaments in Mt. Vernon, Marion, West Frankfort and Marissa.
Games are also scheduled against defending state champions Cobden and Harrisburg along with returning Class 1A sectional finalist teams Goreville, Mulberry Grove and Lebanon.
Besides the River-to-River Conference's rugged Mississippi Division slate, the Lady Indians also play non-league games versus strong foes Benton, Trico, Harrisburg, Johnston City, Z-R-C, Herrin, Murphysboro and Elverado.
"Our schedule again is very strong," James concluded.
Du Quoin High School 2009
Girls Softball Schedule
March 21- Marissa-Coulterville (2), 11:00
March 23- Mt. Vernon Invitational, 3:30 & 5:30
March 24- Goreville, 4:30
March 25- @ W. Frankfort, 4:30
March 27- @ Lebanon, 4:30
March 28- Marion Tournament, TBA
April 4- Carterville & Harrisburg, TBA
April 6- @ Chester, 4:30
April 7- Pinckneyville, 4:30
April 8- @ Johnston City, 4:30
April 9- @ Nashville, 4:30
April 11- Mulberry Grove (2), 11:00
April 13- Anna-Jonesboro,4:30
April 14- @ Sparta, 4:30
April 17- Chester, 4:30
April 20- @ Pinckneyville, 4:30
April 21- Nashville, 4:30
April 22- Steeleville, 4:30
April 25- West Frankfort Tournament, TBA
April 27- Sparta, 4:30
April 29- Herrin, 4:30
May 4- Z-R-C @ SIU, 6:00
May 8-9- Marissa-Coulterville Tournament, TBA
May 11- @ Murphysboro, 4:30
May 12- Elverado, 4:30
May 14- @ Cobden, 4:30
May 18- Trico, 4:30
May 19-23- IHSA Class 2A Regional week