By Brad Greer

After a state runner-up finish in 2011, the North Delta softball team hoped for another championship run last season but those plans were interrupted as the Lady Green Wave failed to make the playoffs for the first time in five years.

Fast forward to 2013 and the Lady Wave will look to get back to the post season after posting a 13-12 record last  year.

“We were looking to have a successful season last year, but there are times when things don’t fall a certain way for us. I feel like the girls have a lot more experience this year due to playing travel ball throughout the summer,” said third-year head coach Damon Plummer.

“We have improved our hitting tremendously over last year. Our slap hitters have improved greatly and should be a threat throughout the lineup,” said Plummer.

One key addition to the North Delta lineup will be sophomore shortstop Caroline Dickins. North Delta did suffer a big blow as starting catcher Anna Lloyd will miss the season with a torn ACL. Fellow sophomore Myles Durham will spell Lloyd behind the plate.

Senior Payton Rico leads the Green Wave pitching staff while Dickins and freshman Sarah Johnson will also see sufficient time in the pitching circle.

Rico is receiving college offers from Northwest Community College and Northeast Community College as well as others.

A number of North Delta players competed in the USFA World Series tournament two weeks ago in Panama City, Fla. where they finished tenth place in a 89-team field. The squad also won the USFA state championship the following week.

Plummer said first base has been a question mark but will look at Ginger Stephens, one of five sophomores expected to start for the Wave, to get first shot at the position.
Three-year starting senior Julianna Morrow will hold down second base with  Johnson rounding out the infield at third base.

The outfield consists of last year’s leading hitter Hastings Neal in left, junior Maribeth Johns in center and sophomore Tiffany Moudy in right field. Underclassmen Madeline Ray and Hannah Potts will also see playing time.

North Delta opens up regular season play Thursday at former division foe Marshall Thursday at 4 p.m. The Green Wave season-opening tournament at Bayou slated for last Saturday was postponed due to rain.

The District 1-2A field will have a different look to it as two new teams, Bayou and Winona Christian replaces Marshall and Carroll who dropped down to Class A.

Assisting Plummer this season will be Lee Rico, David Durham and Eren Garner.