Lady Pilots ready for ‘challenging’ schedule

The Fulton County Lady Pilots hope to improve on last season’s 3-17 record, with a mixture of old and new faces on the field.

Under the guidance of first year coach Lindsey Bridges, the Lady Pilots have a roster of 19 players from a mixture of grades.

“We really have a young team this season,” said coach Bridges, who played at Fulton County from 1996 through 1999. “I have three seniors and four juniors, but all of the rest are sophomores, freshmen along with seventh and eighth graders. We do have some returning talent, but many are also playing for the first time.”

Getting the feel of the team has been a challenge for the new coach, with constant rain forcing many practice sessions to be indoors.

“We have used West Baptist Church, J.P. Amberg’s shop and the high school gym. We have been able to accomplish some things, but you just can’t do the things indoors that you can on the field. But, I have to say that we have come a long way from when we started four week’s ago.”

The Lady Pilots are missing two players who were a big part of last years team, with left fielder Savanna Roberts out for her senior season following surgery for a basketball injury, and second baseman Mia Amberg, who has been out with mononucleosis.

Coach Bridges said she has been looking at team members to fill in at needed spots, but still feels good about the lineup.

“Of course we will depend on our senior players, Delaynee Cermak, Karlie Williams and Karen Jackson, and on our returning junior, Gracie Reid. While we have several players who have not had experience in high school play, they have played in summer leagues and on traveling teams. So, I still think they can help us, because they do know how to play the game.”

Fulton County has a challenging schedule this season, including district games with Carlisle County, Hickman County and Fulton City, but coach Bridges says the team is ready and excited to get started.

“We are ready to play. The girl’s are ready to play and I think we will be okay once we begin. I want these girl’s to win more games this season than the team has over the past years. I really think we can do that. We just want to see improvement and self confidence as the season goes by.”