A Tough Injury and Some Tough Losses Will Not Tame These Lions
Coming into the 2007 softball season, the Tallwood Lions knew they would need big time performances from their three senior captains.
"Those three are tough kids," head coach Mike Denmark explains."They are all great players, and could all play in college. Not only that, but they are winners; they've been that way since they got here."
For Morgan Greene and pitcher Andrea Gilkerson, the pressure of leading the Lions this season is a little heavier since fellow captain Jessica VanGosen went down with a broken thumb after a collision at the plate early in the season. With VanGosen out, Greene has transitioned from her usual centerfield to the infield, where she is now the starting shortstop. With VanGosen cheering from the bench, the Lions dropped a heartbreaker to cross-town rival Kempsville; the extra inning defeat serving as the third one-run loss of Tallwood's young season. After the game, the three captains were asked about their thoughts on the Lion's 3-4 start.
"Everything is OK," Greene explained simply. "We lost a lot of close games, but we just need to get that extra run. We will do better."
Gilkerson added, "We just need to make clutch hits in clutch situations, that's how we are gonna win games."
VanGosen offered a simple answer from her perspective on the bench, "Instead of getting behind in the first place, lets just stay ahead. Eliminate some errors and we'll be fine."
As was the case against the Chiefs, costly errors have led to unearned runs, and those runs have been the difference between wins and losses this season.
"We've lost some close games due to some other kid's mistakes, but we'll turn things around," Coach Denmark states emphatically. "If we can just hold it together until Jessica gets back, we can make another run in the tournament like we did last year. It doesn't matter what our record is if we can get to the tournament."
Last season the Lions made it all the way to the Beach District championship game as the eighth seed. If Greene and Gilkerson can keep the ship afloat until VanGosen returns, the trio hopes for a shot to better last season's run.
Having played together since their freshmen year, the girls have had a chance to watch each other's games grow. Greene says the journey has been great; "We always played well together," and Gilkerson says they "balance each other out." For their coach, he has enjoyed a first-hand look at their development.
"Andrea started out as a back-up pitcher. She dressed for varsity as a freshman, and got some playing time as a sophomore, but she was unsure of herself and nervous," he says. "But that kid has probably worked harder than anyone over the last two year to get where she is today. She still gets nervous, but we wouldn't be where we are today without her."
As for VonGosen?
"Jessica's been going 110% since she came in as freshman," Denmark beams. "She's been that way since her first day here. Even as a senior, she's the first one to practice; the first one to help out. She's the kind of kid you'd love to have a bunch of."
For Greene, whom he affectionately calls 'Mo,' Denmark points to her speed and versatility.
"Mo developed a little slower, but she has really come into her own the last few years. She is real fast; a special kid. She hit right handed for the first time in her life last season, and batted .270. This year she is back to her natural side and using her speed to get on."
Denmark also points out the girl's off-the-field work ethic; all three have GPAs over 3.5. After high school, Gilkerson plans on attending Old Dominion and wants to become a teacher. VanGosen will be attending Washington College where she will continue to play softball and study chemical engineering. Greene will be lacing up her cleats for Randolph-Macon.
For now, the lady Lions will be focused on leading Tallwood on one final postseason run. Some timely hitting and some tighter defense could be all that stands in their way.
