When the 2011 softball season begins next week, the David Emanuel Academy Lady Eagles will be under new leadership as Pat Sills was elevated to Head Coach over the summer. Sills, a top assistant coach for the past four seasons, takes over after the departure of Travis Motes who left to accept a position at Portal High School.
Sills inherits a team that lost four starters, including two college signees in Jessica Wimberly (Darton) and Laura Cardell (East Georgia). Among the returning players is All-Region and All-State player Jordan Brett, a junior, who will handle the catching duties this year. Other returning starters include senior All-Region player Madison Mercer, a senior, along with juniors Jerica Burnett, and Macy Wiggins and sophomore McLean Sullivan. Team newcomers Brooke Peebles and Coty Garrettt are expected to contribute also along with pitcher Alie Canady who transferred to DEA during the past school year and outfielder Alexis Morris who enrolled this spring.
Sills calls his style of play “run and gun” and thinks the talent he has is suited to that brand. “We may not have the power hitting or the experience we had a year ago but we have some good athletes and some girls that can run so we will be very aggressive on the bases” said Sills.
Filling out the 2011 varsity roster are five freshman players. Jessica Brett and Logan Faircloth both played varsity as eighth graders and are ready to play when needed. Suzanne Durden is a candidate to start in leftfield and Tori Hilliard could play infield or outfield. Natalie Turner is new to the game and should get playing time in the outfield. Juniors Lauren Williams and Caitlyn Wheeler both have experience in the outfield also.
Michelle Norton joins the varsity staff this year and will fill Sills’ former role as assistant coach.
The Lady Eagles will open the season on Tuesday August 2 when they travel to Bellville to play Pinewood Christian for at 4:30 contest. The home opener will be August 4 as DEA hosts Nathanael Greene Academy. DEA will play a 20 game schedule plus participate in the Bulloch Bash tournament on August 12 and 13.
Sills to Head Varsity Softball Team
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