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May 7, 2007

Young Cullman expecting results similar to last year

Justin Graves

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By Justin Graves

jgraves@cullmantimes.com

Cullman softball coach Marc Ponder has seen this before.

Last season, the Lady Bearcats went to Southside-Gadsden and advanced out of the first round of sub-state. So when Cullman travels to Etowah today for the opening game of the postseason, Ponder hopes for similar results.

But even though this year’s scenario is similar to what Cullman went through last season, Ponder knows there is one glaring difference. The Lady Bearcats feature far more youth than last year’s team.

“We’re in the same situation that we were in last year,” Ponder said. “Last year we went over to Southside-Gadsden and won two games, and then came back here and played Gardendale. The only difference is that we were a lot more senior laden.

“This year we’ve only got one senior. We’ve used two sophomores and a freshman at pitcher, and there’s even one eighth grader that’s seen some action. I think the only people that expected our team to be here this season was us.”

Even though the Lady Bearcats may be young in age, it doesn’t mean they’ve played like it. Especially in the second half of the season.

By getting a heavy dose of quality pitching against solid programs at tournaments hosted by Wallace State, Gulf Shores High and Albertville High, Cullman’s bats have gradually came to life.

“We’ve had the pitching and defense to win games, it was just a matter of scoring runs,” Ponder said. “But we’ve done a better job of that in the second half of the season.

“There are a lot of girls on our team that played basketball, so that kind of had something to do with the slow start. But by playing in a very good area facing solid pitching from Hartselle, Lockhart at West Point and a tough bunch at Brewer, we’ve gradually turned things around.”

Even though Cullman has played better softball in the second half of the season, Ponder knows his team can’t have a letdown and still expect to win. But from the way his players have carried themselves in practice this week, he thinks they are looking forward to the challenge.

“The players are real loose and relaxed,” he said. “I think everyone is excited. They want to go over there and do what our seniors did last year. Our only senior, Nikki LaRue, is especially looking forward to the challenge.

“We’re going to have to play good softball. There’s no doubt about it. But I think we’re capable of doing it.”

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