Seasoned youngsters

By Justin Graves
jgraves@cullmantimes.com

May 09, 2008 12:08 am

— If anyone knows what it feels like to be the youngest player on a team, it’s Cassie Gable.
When Gable was in the seventh grade, she was primarily used as a pinch runner on Cullman High’s varsity softball team — an experience she described as “terrifying.”
So why was Gable so timid about running bases? She simply didn’t want to mess up and disappoint the upperclassmen.
Gable remembers the fear she experienced as the youngest player on the team, so that’s why the Cullman senior tries to make the team’s current underclassmen feel like they are just as important as everyone else.
“When I was in the seventh grade, I was terrified,” Gable said. “I was scared to death that I would mess up. I don’t think it’s like that now. We’re all the same on this team.”
Gable isn’t the only senior that feels that way. Alison Meriwether and Lacey Cork — the team’s other two seniors — also want their underclassmen teammates to feel right at home.
“We’re just one big, happy family,” Cork said. “That’s exactly what we are — one big, happy family.”
Making the younger players feel like they were equal to the upperclassmen probably wasn’t a bad idea. After all, Cullman has relied heavily on its youngsters this season.
With only three seniors and three juniors on the team, Cullman always has a few freshmen and sophomores in the starting lineup.
Even though Cullman coach Marc Ponder has relied heavily on underclassmen this season, it hasn’t affected the Lady Bearcats’ performance on the field — especially in the second half of the season.
Cullman finished the regular season as one of the hottest teams in Class 5A. And one of the keys behind the sixth-ranked Lady Bearcats’ success is that everyone on the team has been producing — regardless of their age.
“We’re all very comfortable with each other,” sophomore third baseman T.J. Huddleston said. “This is probably one of the closest groups I’ve been around.”
Early in the season, Abbie Knight admits she felt like she was out of place. But when you’re a freshman that’s been asked to take a starting role in left field, a little uncertainty is to be expected.
Knight may have been a little timid early in the season, but she feels right at home now. And according to the freshman, she had a little help from Cork along the way.
“I was scared to death,” Knight said. “But I’m not anymore. I’m very comfortable out there now — a lot more confident. (The upperclassmen) don’t treat us like we’re young. That’s helped a lot.”
Another freshmen that’s broke out of her shell is Erin Lopez. And at the same time, the first baseman has emerged as one of Cullman’s most productive hitters.
“It’s a big difference compared to last year,” Lopez said. “I feel like I belong on this team, and I’m a lot more confident because of it. Everyone gets treated the same on this team.”