HARTSVILLE, S.C. – With the opening of the 2016 season just over two weeks away, the Coker College softball team is ready for another successful season under second-year head coach Travis McCall. The Cobras are coming off a 2015 campaign where they won 24 games, swept the eventual conference tournament champions and made their first appearance in the SAC tournament since joining the league. Coming into 2016, the head ball coach has high expectations for a bunch that returns many of last season's key contributors.
"Last season was a big confidence boost for the girls," said McCall. "We proved we could compete with the top teams. But this season we want to be more consistent, finish off those games that last season we may have let slip away. We want to position ourselves well in the conference standings coming down the stretch."
The Navy and Gold were selected eighth in the South Atlantic Conference preseason poll, with reigning conference tournament champion Catawba picked as the favorite.
"Top to bottom, the SAC is as good as any conference in the country," said McCall. "If you don't bring your 'A' game against teams 1 through 12 you will get beat."
11 freshman, four sophomores, five juniors and two seniors make up the roster of 22.
"I think our infield is a strength of this team," said McCall. "You build your defense up the middle and for us to have that veteran leadership up the middle is huge for us. We are young in spots, but we have a nice blend of experience and youth."
Headlining the roster is the trio of Ashley Gallman, Riley Morris and Tayler Barcomb. Gallman, a senior, was named to the preseason All-SAC first team at third base, while Morris, a junior, was also named to the first team at the outfield position. Fellow junior Tayler Barcomb was named to the preseason All-SAC second team at second base. All three were named to postseason All-SAC teams just a season ago, batted over .300, collected 157 hits, 88 RBIs and belted 17 home runs as a group.
"All three had great seasons last year," said McCall. "All three embraced the leadership roles they had last season and this year they will be counted upon once again. They are great leaders, work extremely hard and continue to raise the bar for themselves."
In all, the Cobras return 10 players from last years squad, including starting catcher Corrine Stiles, starting shortstop Carley Bailey and pitcher Tabitha Allen who won 15 games last season.
"Tabitha has a lot of experience in the circle and I think that is big for us," said McCall. "Corrine who batted nearly .300 last season knows what we are trying to do behind the plate and I think Hannah Price can be a force in the lineup as well."
With 12 new faces rounding out the Coker roster, it will be imperative for their impact to be immediate.
"Maria Williamson is going to be a good player at this level," McCall stated. "I think Allyson High, Breana Ard and Makayla Shore all have a chance to step in and make a difference as well."
The 2016 schedule features a 52-game schedule, which consist of 30 non-conference games and 22 South Atlantic Conference affairs. The non-conference schedule is highlighted by doubleheaders with North Georgia, who was ranked No. 1 in the NFCA Coaches poll at the end of 2015, Augusta University, who was ranked No. 3 in the Southeast regional poll, Young Harris who was No. 8 in the same regional poll and a single game versus Charleston (WV) who was No. 3 in the Atlantic regional poll at the end of the 2015 season.
The rigorous non-conference schedule may be necessary as the Cobras will play five teams that were ranked in the top-10 in last season's final Southeast regional poll in conference play.
"The only way to learn is to be in those tight battles with the best teams in the country," said McCall. "We want to compete against the best teams and the experience will benefit them going into conference play and we are up to the challenge. They expect to belong in the conversation at the end."
Be sure to come out on Saturday (Feb. 6) to watch the Cobras in their home opener against St. Andrews.