STING TIME: Copan Lady Hornets set to zip into action
Although he's taken a couple of stretches off, Copan High's Randy Davis remains the dean of head softball coaches in our area.
The Copan Lady Hornets boast seven state titles — tied with Dewey for the most by Washington County/area schools — with Davis in charge for most of them.
Although Copan hasn't yet climbed back to the heights where it sparkled with three-straight state crowns from 1997-99, Davis — who is back for his second year in his current stint as skipper — likes the direction his Copan squad appears to be going.
Copan buzzes into the season with a roadtrip to Foyil for a 4:30 p.m. contest. Their home opener is slated for Aug. 16 against Bluejacket.
The prognosis for progress — especially going into the campaign — is bright, as Davis is working with a much more veteran club.
For one thing, unlike last year, he returns two experienced throwers, led by No. 1 option Kamryn Van and Elyzabeth Odum — both freshmen last year.
"We're very strong at catcher," with Faith Weatherspoon back wearing the gear, Davis said.
Kylee Cobb also returns to second base, where she played half of last season prior to injury.
Rylee Vanschuyver is scooting over from third base to shortstop.
"First base and third base are yet to be decided," Davis said.
Kennedy Watson and Addie Hunter are penciled in to start in the outfield, "with several girls kind of fighting for that third outfield spot," Davis said. "One of the biggest things we're looking for to fill in those spots are girls who can put the ball in play. Defense is great, but you've got to score runs to win. You've got to have girls going up there to swing the bat."
Davis expressed satisfaction with the readiness of the team to compete, as compared to last year at this time.
"Right now, our hitting is our main focus. The girls are still a little rusty at that," he said. "We seem to be getting better every day. Defensively, we were probably average to a little above average last seasons. Like last year, we'll have some good games defensively, but we'll probably have games where we boot it or throw it around."
He perceives the two key areas that will determine Copan's campaign destiny are "hitting and pitching."
Last season, Copan made a late season surge to win its district title.
"By the end … our hitting had really come on," he said. "We had huge success the later part of the season. I think these girls will be where we need to be when their hitting comes around. I hope to come out firing on all cylinders in the first game."
On a side note, this season is the 25th Anniversary of Copan's 1997 state championship year. This will be the subject of an upcoming E-E feature.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Copan High softball revs up for campaign of progress
