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Local Sports

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sgunter@wmbb.com

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Softball: Lady ‘Dores Await Saturday

PANAMA CITY - The Gulf Coast softball team took part in an intra-squad game Wednesday afternoon.  The team’s preparing for its season-opener on Saturday against Thomas University (GA).

The Lady ‘Dores finished last season with a 57-10 record, good enough to take second place in the National Tournament.

This year’s team has six returning players and two more sophomore transfers.  Outfielder Sarah Smith (Baton Rouge, LA) and catcher Ashley Andrews (Suwanne, GA) should see plenty of playing time.

Coach Susan Painter said that the nucleus from last year’s team is still intact, with pitcher Sarah Dooling, shortstop Amanda Bailey, outfielder Saskia Kosternik and Debby Connor at first base.  But Painter just needs these ladies to gel with the freshman.

“The success of a team is on and off a field,” Painter said.  “The camaraderie has to be there.  You’ve got different personalities and it has to work together to play a 62 game schedule.

“There’s ups and downs, it’s the team that can handle it and mature along the way and also compete.”

The season kicks-off with a double-header against Thomas University at 12 p.m on Saturday.

There’s also a homecoming of sorts.  Two former Lady ‘Dores, Stacie David and Tiffany Dupriest, now play for the four-year school Thomas University, will return to Joe Tom King Field on Saturday.

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