SFCC softball ready for next step

The SFCC softball team hasn't had a problem winning games. It wins plenty, actually, and is a constant force in the state tournament.

That's where the Panthers stall out, though.

"We can't be satisfied with just making the tournament," Panthers coach Carlos Falla said recently. "We need to build on our regular season record."

And why can't they? A lack of talent? Chemistry? Experience?

"It's not something I can put my finger on," Falla said. "We've just got to get better in certain areas. It's something where we're not there at the right place at the right time.

"It's the little things that we have to get right," he continued, "like winning conference series and winning games that we should win, and being in all the other ones."

The Panthers return six sophomores, and Falla said this aggregation has the ability to duplicate - or surpass - last season's production, which included 35-40 wins and yet another postseason berth.

This year's freshmen-laden team isn't necessarily a bad thing, either. "They get along great," he said. "Probably the best we've ever had, chemistry-wise."

Local players Brearnna Tate (Avon Park), Priscilla Adams (Sebring) and Kayla Clemens (Sebring) compliment a freshmen class that includes two players from Lake Wales, a perennial state contender. Also returning for the Panthers: pitcher Kendra Wellnitz and battery mate Allie Fried, along with outfielder Lacy McCall, first baseman Heather Barnes, infielder Kara Watson and outfielder Amber Steedley.

"All the sophomores," Falla said, "we expect a great deal out of. We just need that leadership, for all of them to tell the freshmen not to let up, because there's a lot riding on this."

The Panthers exhibited that missing quality - resilience - even during fall ball. In one game, they were down by five runs heading into the last inning. They scored seven runs and won.

"They find a way to win," Falla said, "and you can't coach that."

The Panthers have learned to spot their pitches instead of blowing it by hitters, to use both fields instead of trying to slam it over the fence.

"College ball is just a lot quicker," Falla said. "Freshmen are going to make mistakes, and it's what they do after the mistake that makes the difference."

The Panthers open up the season Jan. 30 against College of Central Florida at Panther Field. Pressed for a prediction for this season, and asked whether the Panthers can finally put it all together and make a legitimate run in the postseason, Falla offered this: "There's too many variables. It's hard to predict that, with 60something games, and there's a lot of stuff that can happen."

And then, after a little more thought: "We've got a lot of talent, though. But whether that translates on the field, we'll find out."