ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 4, 1996 TAG: 9604040035
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: FLOYD
TYPE: HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
SOURCE: ANGIE WATTS STAFF WRITER
Advancing to the state tournament is sometimes a lofty goal teams set at the beginning of a season. But for the Floyd County High School softball team, which returns eight starters off a team that finished 21-2 in 1995, it's almost expected.
"Our goals entering last year were to win a regional game and make it to states and we were fortunate enough to accomplish both of those," Coach Wes Starkey said. "This year our goals are to once again make it to the state tournament and this time go as far as we possibly can."
Seniors Kim Moran and J.J. Sowers will lead this junior-based team into Three Rivers District competition against Auburn and Radford, the only other district schools with softball teams. Floyd County softball is in its eighth year of competition, the second under the direction of Starkey, while Auburn and Radford are second-year programs.
"More teams are starting softball now, and our district will continue to improve with the addition of Glenvar next year," Starkey said.
Leigh-Ann Pursifull was the only starter lost to graduation, but Starkey said the team suffered a tragic loss when Valerie Wade was killed in an automobile accident last summer. Starkey said Wade would have started in the outfield, perhaps in the left field spot vacated by Pursifull, but he will now look to first-time player Stacy Wimmer, a senior, to fill the gap.
Shortstop Sonya Hylton, Timesland's leading hitter and an All-Timesland choice after posting a .633 batting average last season, returns alongside second baseman Kim Sutphin (.580) to anchor the Buffaloes' infield.
"I think getting to the state tournament, and maybe winning the title, are realistic goals for this team," Starkey said. "They are extremely dedicated and know what it takes to win."
A look at other area teams:
Christiansburg returns for its second season of softball in the New River District under the direction of Kirk Litton. Litton is no stranger to the diamond. He served as the Blue Demon's baseball coach the previous eight years.
The team finished 4-13 in its inaugural season, starting just one junior and eight freshmen last year, so that entire lineup returns.
Second baseman Tasha Huffman led the way for the Blue Demons in 1995 with a
"Last year our goal was to improve every game and now we just want to pick up where we left off last season and continue improving," Litton said. "I feel like we laid a good foundation for our program last year."
Radford Coach Carolyn Kimbleton continues learning how hard it is to build from the ground up. In their first year as a member of the Three Rivers District the Bobcats finished 4-14, and have only four of last year's players returning this season.
"We're practically starting all over," Kimbleton said. "With two juniors and the rest sophomores and freshmen, we're now back to square one."
Kate Henley, Laura Mabie, Katie Preston and Jennifer Shrader will be looked upon to lead the new players, while Kimbleton turns the focus of practice back to fundamentals and conditioning.
"Last year we lost our composure about the fourth inning and I think that was a result of conditioning," Kimbleton said. "This year we'd like to see if they can maintain their focus throughout the game."
Auburn has a team this year. Further information was unavailable.
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: File 1995.< Floyd County player at the plate. color.by CNB