Brookwood softball hoping to take the next step
Brookwood softball team is hoping to work hard and go beyond just the first round of playoffs this year.
THOMASVILLE — Brookwood School will have a young softball team in 2017, but not one without the drive for playoff success.
The Warriors reached the playoffs for the first time in five seasons last year, but were eliminated in the first round by John Milledge Academy, a playoff mainstay. Brookwood will look to get even further this season with a lot of returners. “It was exciting to get as far as we did.” Brookwood coach Christa Boggs said. “This year we’re hoping to work hard and go beyond just that first round.”
To do that, the Warriors will rely on some leadership from their two seniors. Landry Joyner will be Brookwood’s No. 1 starting pitcher, and can also contribute well at the plate. “She’s one of those players that can play anywhere on the field and dominate well,” Boggs said. “She has a big stick — when she gets a hold of one, she has the ability to send it a long way.”
The other senior is Dara Moore, a catcher who is verbally committed to Young Harris College.
“Defensively, she’s one of the best blockers behind the plate that I’ve ever seen,” Boggs said. “She also has the bat to back it up.” Abbie Bustle, Anna McBride and Anna Stencil are juniors looking to fill some roles. The X-factor for the Warriors could be their group of freshmen. Ann Murray Jackson will man first, and Abby Lee will pitch on occasion to give Joyner breaks. Jessie Wortman has some speed that could be valuable on the base paths.
“We have a really great group of ninth graders,” Boggs said. “Several of them started last year as eighth graders, so we’re excited to have that experience under their belt.”
As a benefit of a rule change, the Warriors are now able to play public schools in the regular season. One date on schedule sticks out — August 14, when Brookwood hosts Thomasville. It’s a matchup that has been a long time coming.
“We’ve not played them in the regular season before,” Boggs said. “It’s exciting because a lot of the girls know the girls on the Thomasville team.
It’s great for our town and great for our schools, and we’re looking forward to that.”
With a team as young as Brookwood’s, there will always be a learning curve. It hopes that the experience of last year’s run can vault them further.
“We have great leadership,” Boggs said. “But anytime you have starting freshmen and sophomores on your varsity team,there’s always some communication to work on and some confidence to build. That’s what we’re hoping for.”
The Warriors will host Brooks County to open their season today at 4:30 p.m.
Brookwood School
Located in Thomasville, GA, Brookwood School is a private school for grades JK-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.