It’s been a season of highs and lows for the Habersham Central Lady Raiders (10-10), but they’re trending in the right direction with two wins in the last three games.
14th-year head coach Stephanie Thomas and the Lady Raiders went into the region tournament against Lanier on Tuesday evening in a best-of-three series.
For Habersham Central, who was 3-7 in region play, it’s been one of the top offenses in Thomas’ career as head coach.
“This is probably the first year top to bottom — 1-through-9 — that we’ve had hitters in place that can put the ball in play,” says Thomas. “We knew it didn’t matter where we come up in our lineup — we have a shot at getting baserunners on and moving them.”
As good as that offense has been, the defense and pitching has been even better, allowing a region-best 93 runs.
“We do a lot of skill-related reps specific to defense,” says Thomas. “We want baserunners on or out in four pitches. Does that always happen…no. But that’s our goal…and it’s also our goal to get the first batter out of [each] inning. Any time we can do those things, then we’re limiting the scoring chances of the opponent.”
“We do have a strong defense,” says junior first baseman Adelaide Askew. “We have all nine positions covered, and then some. The offense isn’t always the best, but we’ve backed it up with our defense.”
The Lady Raiders’ team has a pair of seniors, including pitcher and stellar outfielder Ansleigh Holland. However, the youth of this program bodes well for the future. The Habersham Middle School program just went 14-0 and won their league championship, and the varsity team has a large body of freshman.
Holland feels that this 2017 season provides a great shot to make it to state for the first time at Habersham since 2013. The Lady Raiders went to state back-to-back in 2010 and 2011, advancing to the Sweet 16 in the 2010 season.
“I’ve been a part of this varsity program for four years, and I can say that this year — my senior year — is probably the best shot we have had to go to state,” claims Holland.
Holland will play at the collegiate level, and is set to visit Berry College, while also considering Brenau, Young Harris and others.
Junior Paige Cook, a Mississippi State University verbal commit since her freshman year, feels that this team is a great blend of talent and youth, contributing to the solid chemistry.
“At first it was kind of awkward with all the freshman,” says Cook on the age difference of the team. “They’ve always been together, playing travel ball and doing everything together. But we’ve merged together, and are doing really well. We’re so excited to be a team, and we can do anything that we put our minds to.”
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