TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

AP Seniors Seek Elusive Title

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Avon Park senior Heather Barnes will try to improve on last season where she batted .544 with 30 RBIs and was solid at shortstop for the Red Devils.

ADVERTISEMENT

By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: February 5, 2008

AVON PARK –– "We want to win bad. I mean really bad," sounded Avon Park senior Ashton Shirey, who is still feeling the sting of how the '06 girls softball season ended — on a controversial play at the plate at the hands of Braden River — and then watching arch-rival Sebring win the Class 4A-District 10 title on their home field.

A close play at the plate, where it looked like Lamb had tagged the runner, was called a score and ended Avon Park's hopes of meeting the Blue Streaks in the title game.

A bitter pill was being swallowed as the long faces of the Red Devils gazed at the celebrating Blue Streaks, knowing full well that it could have and should have been them.

"Nobody wants to watch their rival win on their home field," Shirey said. "This team is back with a strong resolve this season, knowing that this is our chance. This is our time."

For the four Avon Park seniors (Heather Barnes, Julie Lamb, Missy Lander and Shirey), this is their final shot at the coveted title that has eluded them during their tenure as Red Devils.

"It was sad the way last season ended but it's over and this is a different team," Barnes said. "This is the strongest team we've had in a couple of years and it's our best chance to raise that trophy."

Barnes, who signed to play softball for the Stetson Hatters in the fall, played travel ball all summer to prepare for the upcoming season, honing her skills against high-caliber competition that'll no doubt help her productivity this year for the Red Devils.

"Heather is at her peak right now," AP head coach Mike Cobb, who enters his 14th season as skipper of the Red Devils said. "It's going to be a different Heather out there since she's not worrying about college. She's so focused and dedicated and that rubs off on the other players.

"She stays out every night for extra practice and that's going to pay off down the road."

Lamb, who along with Barnes, is one of Avon Park's top offensive weapons, batted .489 last season and was exemplary on defense, posting a .982 fielding average, but it's her unassuming leadership style, especially when dealing with Shirey on the mound, that's the key to the Red Devils success.

"I just try to keep her calm and help her find her spots," Lamb said. "I do what I can to get this team fired up. Get a key hit or make a play at the plate. I just try to play my best when I'm out there."

Lamb is battling some nagging injuries she received during soccer season, but says that the injuries won't keep her from the field, as she has been building up arm strength in making the transition from the soccer field to the ball field.

A workhorse on the mound. Shirey is the ace of the Avon Park staff, using her change-up and painting the corners with her fastball to cause even the best hitters fits when she's on her game.

But it's Shirey's work ethic that has reached new heights, as the AP senior pitched five times a week during travel ball over the summer and has drawn the praises of Coach Cobb, who says "she's already in midseason form".

"Everything I've done up to this point is to help us win," Shirey said. "What drives me is seeing the determination in my teammates and to win for our team and our school.

"My main goal this season is not to lose."

Lander, who moved from left to center field this season, shares Shirey's desire to not lose, but understands they've got a lot of work to do to get to that point.

"We're ready to gut it out and get better with each game," Lander said. "We realize for us seniors, there isn't a next season. We came so close last year and as a ball player, I always want more.

"I want to go out a champion."

The intangibles for Avon Park this season are the influx of new faces and how well they'll gel with the upperclassman added with the continued maturity of the juniors.

Left fielder Jamice Perry adds speed and explosiveness in the outfield and on the base pads, while junior Logan Palmer shores up third base with her defensive presence.

But if the Red Devils are going to feel the glory of a champion, the seniors know they're going to have to raise their game up to a higher level.

"We know we can contend with the best in our district," Lamb said. "This team has bonded and is as close as a team can be. We all know what we have to do. The question now is can we do it."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT