BCMS Softball set to kick off 2012 season
With the start of school comes the beginning of fall softball for Butler County Middle School. Practicing daily since mid-July, the team opens its 2012 season today, Saturday, August 11, at home against Christian County at 4 p.m.
Tryouts were held in early July and ten new players were added to the roster, joining nine returning players for a 19-player roster.
Returning players include 8th graders Kelsey Smith, Madison Clark, Zoie Pendley, Maddie McKinney, Haley Hope, Cheyenne White, and Ashlynne Brooks. Returning 7th graders are Olivia Jones and Tori McKinney.
New players this season are Sydnee Cameron (8th), Jessica Arnold (7th), Delaney Embry and Amber Thacker (6th), and Evyn Frazier, Ashley Thacker, Chaney Brooks, Hannah Chaney, Bayleigh Alford, and Shalyn Bratcher (5th).
This is the first year 5th graders were able to tryout for the middle school team. According to BCMS Coach John Embry, the program needed to expand its base due to lower numbers in some grades and to get players into the system at an earlier age.
Jack Clark joins Embry as coaches of the BCMS Softball team.
"This is the first year that we were able to keep all players who attended tryouts," said Embry. "It good to get these younger players in our program so they can develop their softball skills and learn how our system works."
Leading the 2012 BCMS Bears will be a core of experienced 8th graders. Smith and Pendley will be called on to do the bulk of the pitching, while also anchoring key infield positions (third and first, respectively) when not in the pitching circle. Catching duties will managed by Brooks and White. Both players will see plenty of time in other positions with White expected to roam centerfield and Brooks as a utility player who may see both infield and outfield time. Clark at second base and Maddie McKinney at shortstop will provide plenty of experience up the middle in these two key infield positions.
Haley Hope, a utility player last season, is expected to start in right field, joining White in center and 7th grader Olivia Jones in left to complete the outfield.
Tori McKinney and Jones are also pitchers who will get some time in the circle this season.
New players have spent the preseason working at various positions, while focusing on improving basic softball skills.
BCMS has over 40 games on its schedule, including three tournaments.
"We purposely play a tough, competitive schedule," said Embry. "I'm a firm believer in the philosophy that strong competition will make you better."
The middle school Bears have 11 home dates scheduled. Admission at the gate is $4 for adults, $2 for students. Season passes are $20 for adults and $10 for students.
BCMS 2012 Softball Schedule
8/11 Christian County Home 4:00 p.m.
8/13 St. Mary's (Whitesville) Away 5:30 p.m.
8/16 Warren East Away 5:30 p.m.
8/20 Franklin-Simpson Home 5:30 p.m.
8/21 Logan County Home 5:30 p.m.
8/23 Bowling Green Home 5:30 p.m.
8/24 Christian County Tourn. * Away TBA
8/25 Christian County Tourn. * Away TBA
8/27 Russellville Away 5:30 p.m.
8/28 Daviess County Home 5:30 p.m.
8/30 Drakes Creek Away 5:30 p.m.
9/4 Logan County Away 5:30 p.m.
9/5 Franklin-Simpson Away 5:30 p.m.
9/6 Daviess County Away 5:30 p.m.
9/7 O'boro Cath. Tourn. * Away TBA
9/8 O'boro Cath. Tourn. * Away TBA
9/10 Russellville Home 5:30 p.m.
9/11 Bowling Green Away 5:30 p.m.
9/14 Drakes Creek Home 5:30 p.m.
9/15 Christian County @AC-S * Away 10:30 a.m.
9/15 Allen County-Scottsville * Away 12:00 p.m.
9/17 Owensboro Catholic Away 5:30 p.m.
9/19 Apollo Home 5:30 p.m.
9/22 St. Mary's (Whitesville) Home 10 a.m.
9/24 Owensboro Catholic Home 5:30 p.m.
9/25 South Warren Home 5:30 p.m.
9/26 Apollo Away 5:30 p.m.
9/28 MS State Tournament * Away TBA
9/29 MS State Tournament * Away TBA
Coaches: John Embry and Jack Clark
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