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Experienced Tigers looking to turn corner in 2004
By Joe Warren
Nevada Herald
For three seasons the Nevada Tigers have been getting by as a new program. The team lacked tradition and a foundation from which it could grow.
Senior leadership was hard to find. Even seniors on the team had a hard time being classified as leaders because they simply did not have the experience that often carries weight with younger players.
This year Nevada is looking to change their image.
Experience is no longer an issue. Leadership is abundant. There are seven seniors on the squad, five of them slated for starting roles going into the season.
This is the first year the program has seniors that have been through the rigors of a softball season three times before. Some of the seniors have been playing varsity since the beginning of the program. Not too many teams have seniors that have garnered playing time at the varsity level for three seasons going into their final campaigns.
And whatever the seniors can't provide in leadership the coaching staff can make up for.
Chris Garzone is again the head coach, and he has been with the program since its inception. Assisting him this year is Brandi Thomsen. As a former Division I softball player with a trip to the College World Series under her belt, Thomsen brings instant credibility with the girls. They have someone to help lead them that has been through the ups and downs that accompany competitive softball.
Couple Thomsen's knowledge with Garzone's work ethic and the team no longer has the feel of infancy. Suddenly there are expectations, at least within the team, even if the community may not harbor the same feelings just yet.
"We want to be competitive every game," Garzone said. "These girls can compete with everybody, they just have to get in the right mindset."
Thomsen said the team looks like it is ready to turn the corner and become a competitive softball program.
"They're just so eager to do well and they're ready to make Nevada softball a positive," Thomsen said.
With softball powerhouse Webb City in the same district and fellow power Neosho in the conference, the Tigers will have a tall order on the diamond.
That is why they will rely on their experience to allow them to go toe-to-toe with the better teams.
The infield is particularly loaded with upperclassmen.
Seniors don three of the infield spots, not counting Whitney Smith in the circle.
On the left side there is Amanda Kitsmiller and Bridget Baldwin.
Kitsmiller is a returning starter at the hot corner, and Baldwin returns with starting experience at shortstop.
Second base is handled by junior Mallori Adams, who was honored with an all-district selection for her play there as a sophomore last year.
At first base there are two players who figure to see extensive playing time.
Senior Chanelle Braun will start the season at first, with junior Shawna Alexander also expected getting reps there.
Braun also pitched when the Tigers need to change things up in the circle or if Smith needs a rest.
Alexander will start the season as the designated player, meaning she will be hitting for one of the fielders in a role similar to a designated hitter in baseball although with slightly different rules in softball.
For one, the DP can hit for any fielder, not just the pitcher. Also, since the DP is listed as one of 10 starters, that player can enter the game in the field and as long as the person they replace stays in the game at DP. In baseball, if the DH is put into the field the team loses that position the rest of the game.
Garzone said that even though Alexander will not be on the field to start the first game, she will definitely be an asset to the team.
"Her bat will help us in the lineup," he said.
At catcher is sophomore Tiffany Cartwright. Cartwright is still learning the many nuances of being a catcher. Often considered the coach on the field, the catcher position is widely known as the most difficult to do well. The physical and mental strain it takes to sit behind the plate is unmatched in softball.
Thomsen has taken Cartwight under her wing and hopes to pass along some of the things she had learned when she caught for the University of Missouri-Columbia.
"I hope to have her calling games by the time she is a senior," Thomsen said.
In the outfield the Tigers will have two sophomores and a senior. Courtney Hinkle will get the starting nod in right field and she is the lone senior in the outfield.
Afton Baldwin will start in center field. Baldwin saw varsity time as a freshman and has the speed necessary to play in the middle.
Audrey Wallace is the team's wildcard in left field.
Wallace is a transfer from Louisiana who has the coaching staff buzzing. She is the kind of athlete that the coaches can put anywhere and if practice is any indication, Wallace may already be one of the team's stronger bats.
Sophomore Erica Klinksick is a utility player who the coaches feel comfortable plugging in anywhere and will see time this season. Heather Klingaman and Katelyn Brier are freshman players that Garzone said, "are both pushing for playing time."
That does not include the other girls who are showing up to practice each day and are putting forth a good effort. There is no telling when others might be needed or when a player might suddenly breakout and force Garzone to put them on the field.
Garzone said this team has the ability to take the softball program to another level.
"I think so, definitely," Garzone said when asked if this team can be a consistent winner.
Garzone said the key for the players would be , "just believing in themselves."
He also was reluctant to look ahead too much this season. Instead, Garzone was taking it one game at a time.
"Our main concern right now is Clinton," he said.
The Tigers host Clinton on Monday in their regular season opener.