As the new season approaches, the St. Paul VI Catholic High School softball team is gearing up for another year of competition. This year, they have their sights set on competing for a WCAC Championship and a VISAA State Championship. To get a better understanding of what we can expect from the team this year, we spoke with Coach Jeff Torres to get the inside scoop on the top returning players, new additions to the team, and his coaching philosophy.
To start off, Coach Torres highlighted the key players from last season who will be returning to the team this year. A standout player to watch is Natalie Monroe, who missed last season due to injury but is now back and ready to make an impact. Monroe has committed to play Division 1 softball at Bucknell University and brings both explosive hitting and speed on the bases to the team.
Junior pitcher Giovanna Gottfried is also a player to watch, as she led VISAA with 188 strikeouts last season and has added new pitches to her repertoire. At the plate, McKenna Drawbaugh and Ashley Robinson are returning after impressive seasons, with Drawbaugh leading the team in batting average and OPS and Robinson showing improvement in her hitting power.
While these returning players will surely make an impact, there are also some new additions to the team that Coach Torres believes will have an immediate impact. The team has added six freshmen, including pitching talents Anisa Noorani, Presley Gatlin, Elizabeth Sullivan, and Kasey Williams. Noorani and Gatlin have impressive pitching velocities, with Noorani consistently hitting 59mph and Gatlin throwing in the low 60s.
The team's defense has also been elevated by the addition of Maria Dozier and Gabby Hager, both of whom bring strong arms and fielding skills to the team. Coach Torres expects big things from these freshmen at the plate as well.
As for team captains, Coach Torres values qualities such as leadership, dedication, and a strong work ethic. With a young team this year, there are multiple players who are stepping up and battling for the role of captain. However, the strength of senior leadership and the immediate impact of the junior class will be crucial for the team's success.
Coach Torres also shared how his coaching style may differ from previous seasons. With a challenging schedule ahead, including facing off against three state champions and six district/conference champions, he wants to ensure that the team is playing at its best and has a deep run in the postseason. This may mean making adjustments to practice and game strategies to prepare for these tough opponents.
In terms of the team's strengths and weaknesses, Coach Torres noted that their participation and preseason training has been a big improvement from last season. With the addition of a JV team and 14 new freshmen, the program has grown and the team has more depth than previous years. However, with a young team comes the challenge of making mistakes and learning from them quickly. Coach Torres believes that it is important for the team to focus on improving their weaknesses and building on their strengths as the season progresses.
When it comes to his coaching philosophy, Coach Torres emphasizes the importance of senior leadership and the impact that the junior class will have on the team. He believes that the team's strength lies in their ability to quickly learn from mistakes and make corrections. This fast-paced approach will be crucial in their quest for a championship title.
In conclusion, the St. Paul VI Catholic High School softball team has a mix of experienced and talented players along with promising new additions. With a challenging schedule ahead, the team will need to work together and continuously improve in order to achieve their goals. With strong senior leadership and a determined coaching staff, there is no doubt that this team has what it takes to compete at the highest level and make a deep run in the postseason. Fans can look forward to an exciting and competitive season from the St. Paul VI softball team this year.
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