It is a new era of softball at Central Holmes Christian School.
Former Carroll Academy coach Rusty Miller was named the new head coach after Jerry Polk left after two seasons at the school. Miller likes what he has seen so far from the Lady Trojans.
“The girls have been working hard and we have had good attendance,” Miller said. “They have been learning what I want and need for them to learn. They have come to practice and got after it. It’s been hot out there, but I haven’t been any complaints. We have done some improvements to our field and that makes everybody feel a little bit better.”
The Lady Trojans will be young this season with just two seniors and one junior on the team. The two seniors are Addie Burrell and Landry Gardner, while Aubrey Carr is the lone junior.
“It’s going to be a young team,” Miller said. “I know I will start one seventh grader, two eighth graders and two freshmen. The most experience we will have will be the junior and the two seniors. The others will have to learn new positions. They have been working hard and learning some stuff. It’s just time to play. Fortunately we have some games to get some experience before we get into district play.”
Aubrey Carr will be the No. 1 pitcher while Burrell will also see some innings on the mound.
“Aubrey throws a decent fastball and has some pitches with movement on them,” Miller said. “She has located pretty well in practice. We have to see how it’s going to be in the first game.”
Miller said he prides himself on being a defensive coach and believes the key to a good season is solid play on the defensive side of the ball and being competitive.
“We have to get our acts together, so we understand what we have to do on defense,” Miller said. “Pitching is going to be a key there. The pitchers are doing really well and see what happens when we get in the game. If we can put the bat on the ball, we will be competitive. We have some girls that can run and we have hit in practice. I think if we play good defense, you can win games. You have to know what to do with the ball once you get it.”
Central Holmes will have its hands full in district play as they compete with Oak Hill, Indianola, Carroll and Winona Christian.
“I know Carroll has a lot of girls that have gotten older and are good players and Winona was good last year,” Miller said. “It’s going to be a race and we have to battle to go beyond district. Our district is solid; there are no slouches in there. I just want them to compete and never give up. I haven’t talked about last year. We are moving forward and not talking about that past. We are in the present. It’s a different team. There are girls that have left and some that aren’t playing and some that are graduated. It’s a whole different deal.”
2020 SCHEDULE
July 31 at Canton 4/5:30 p.m.
Aug. 1 at Winona Tournament TBA
Aug. 3 Sharkey Issaquena 4:30/6 p.m.
Aug. 4 Deer Creek 4:30/6 p.m.
Aug. 6 Canton 4:30/6 p.m.
Aug. 7 at Deer Creek 4:30/6 p.m.
Aug. 11 at Carroll 3:30 p.m.
Aug. 15 Canton Tournament TBA
Aug. 17 Winona Christian 4:30/6 p.m.
Aug. 18 Indianola 4:30/6 p.m.
Aug. 22 Sharkey Issaquena Tournament TBA
Aug. 25 Oak Hill 4:30/6 p.m.
Aug. 31 at Indianola 5/6:30 p.m.
Sept. 1 Carroll 4:30/6 p.m.
Sept. 8 at Winona Christian 4:30/6 p.m.
Spet. 14 Kirk Academy 4:30/6 p.m.
Sept. 15 at Oak Hill 4/6 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Kirk Academy 5/6:15 p.m.
