Lake View’s Lady Wild Gators are working hard and getting focused for the new season ahead.
Head Coach Brandy Huggins, in her fourth year at the helm and her 11 year in coaching, says that she expects the Lady Gators to continue to work hard at practice and “take one game at at time.”
The Lady Gators finished third in Region 8-A last season but claimed the District VI title and finished as the lower state runner-up, knocking off Carvers Bay and Latta along the way before falling to East Clarendon.
But the Gators lost four key players last season, including Morgan Herlong, Amber Locklear, Kayce Wong, and Madison Matthews.
“With graduating four starters we had to make some adjustments,” Huggins said. “Everyone is embracing their new role and working hard to get better.”
Huggins says key positions to be filled included centerfield, shortstop, and first and third base. But she says the team is strong on the mound and there is a lot of experience on second base and behind the plate.
Returning players include Marissa Tyndall, who had 34 hits last season and eight wins with 99 outs on the mound for the Gators; Ally Spivey, who had 31 hits and 24 RBI last spring; and Ashley Rogers who had 27 hits with four triples and two home runs for 29 RBI. Jasmine Ford, Madison Cox, Madison Greene, and Logan Spivey will also be returning as starters.
Kayla Page, Alex Elliot, and Shakiara Parker will be joining the team as starters this season, and several more new faces will be rising up from the junior varsity team.
Conference play looks much the same for the Gators this year as last year, with local rival Latta being one of their biggest threats. The Gators defeated the Vikings twice in the lower state bracket last season, downing them 3-2 in the first round and earning a 4-3 walk off win in the elimination bracket.
Johnsonville moved up to Class 2A this season, but Carvers Bay joined the region and could be a threat for the Gators. Lake View faced the Bears twice in the District VI bracket last spring, shutting them out 10-0 in the first round and 4-0 in the district championship.
Creek Bridge, Green Sea-Floyds, and Hemingway will also be region foes this season.
“We have a very tough region,” Huggins said, “so every region game we play will be tough.”
The Lady Gators have already had a few scrimmages this season, but will open the regular season on the road at Mullins on Monday, March 9. Lake View will begin conference play with a double header against Creek Bridge on Friday, March 13.
