TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Panthers Prime For Season's Start

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

The Panther softball team runs through some agility drills during Thursday's evening practice in preparation for the upcoming season.

ADVERTISEMENT

By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: January 17, 2009

AVON PARK - Softball is in her blood, which is why Missy Lander is running back to the softball field after only a few short months away from the game.

"I couldn't stay away from playing softball," Lander said. "So I called up Coach Carlos Falla in the fall and he told him I wanted a shot to make the team, and told me to get to the field."

Falla called Lander - a former Avon Park standout - "a blessing" when asked about the late addition to his South Florida Community College softball the roster.

"Missy has all the tools you look for in a ballplayer," Falla said. "She covers a lot of ground in center and hits for average and power when called upon.

"It was totally unexpected and I'm thankful she's on the team."

Lander is a former Avon Park standout and a two-time selection for the Highlands Today All-Heartland team. The speedy centerfielder batted .356 with nine extra base hits and 25 RBI during her senior season with the Red Devils.

Now the walk-on will get her chance to make a name for herself as a member of the Panthers, who've begun training for their run to return to the playoffs after a dismal end to 2008.

The Panthers went 4-10 in April and finished with a 22-32 overall record and 12-12 in the Suncoast Conference, which left them just one game shy of making the playoffs.

"I think what happened is that we ran out of gas at the end of last year," Falla said. "We didn't condition like we had been used to and that was my fault. I can guarantee you that we won't run out of gas this season. I won't make the same mistake twice."

Falla and his coaching staff are making good on their promise of conditioning, as the Panthers have been run through agility and speed drills everyday, along with weight training and 1-3 mile runs to ensure the team has the stamina to withstand the college season.

Another concern of Falla's will be offensive production, which saw the Panthers in '08 nosedive from their previous form.

Last year, SFCC saw just one player with a batting average above .280 (Megan Randolph .427) compared to six players in '07.

"We couldn't put together runs in bunches like we were use to in the previous year," Falla said. "I think this season we've got some really good hitters and this team can win games in a lot of different ways."

Freshman outfielder Amber Steedley from Zolfo Springs is set in the leadoff position, while Randolph, Landers and former Blue Streak standout Jessica Cooley should provide some stability in the middle of the lineup.

Randolph was the team leader in batting average (.427), home runs (3) and RBI (17) in 103 at-bats and should be much improved after a solid fall schedule.

With the loss of Addie Tallman, freshman Breanna Beckel earned the position of "ace" after an impressive fall.

"Bre was lights out during the fall," Falla said. "She gave up just three earned runs in over 20 innings and has great control and a wicked fastball. I'm excited she's on my team and we won't have to face her."

Beckel will also be useful in the outfield, as the Tuscon, Ariz. product batted .409 with 16 RBI and was an honorable mention on the Class 4A All-State softball team for the 4A-1 state runner-up Sahuaro Cougars.

Along with Beckel, Kristin Benton and Kendra Wellnitz, both transfers from North Florida and Florida International University, respectively, will give Falla more options out of the bullpen.

"With the addition of Kristen and Kendra, I won't have to rely on just one starter for so many innings," Falla said. "I can hopefully have a deeper rotation and utilize the depth I have in the pen."

Benton is known as a "drop-ball" pitcher, while Wellnitz spins the ball well and hits her spots to cause havoc for opposing batters.

But Falla says that the biggest addition to this year's squad has been the chemistry, which had been fractured during last season's meltdown.

"The girls this year have a lot of fun and really seem to get along," Falla said. "I'm really impressed with how unselfish this group is and they're all focused on winning and doing what's best for the team."

Getting back to the playoffs won't be easy, as the conference is beset with some solid teams, including defending champion Manatee (40-8, 22-2), which was ranked No. 2 in the state and No. 3 in the nation last season.

"There's a lot of competition in our conference, but we can't really worry about them right now," Falla said. "We have to take this time during practice and in the early part of the season to fine tune our skills and get ready for the marathon of the season."

Cooley, who plays third base for the Panthers, says that the girls have come back after the holiday break with a renewed appreciation for the game and are ready to hit the field without the baggage from last season.

"When we came back from Christmas break, it was like we never left," Cooley said. "We came back with a desire to do whatever it took to not only get back to the playoffs but make some noise once we get there. This team really is a team in the sense that we're always there to pick the other up when they falter. Last year, I think everyone wanted to be the leader and I don't think we knew our roles on the team. But this year, we know what our roles are and are playing with a lot of passion.

"We're really tired of practice and can't wait to start playing some games."

The wait won't be long as SFCC opens the '09 season on Jan. 31 when they host Santa Fe College as part of a three-game home stand.

Game time is set for 2 p.m.

Chris Hoffman can be reached at 863-386-5837 or choffman@highlandstoday.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT