From Central Alabama Scoreboard
By Griffin Pritchard | Publisher
Photos submitted by Stanhope Elmore Softball
MILLBROOK – When the Stanhope Elmore High School Mustangs walked off the diamond at Wetumpka High with an 8-4 win over the rival Indians, little did anyone know it would be the season finale as the world seemingly shut down due to the pandemic. There’s never a good time to just shut the world down, but for the Mustangs, they had battled to a 6-5 record with Neci King (6-0 inside the circle) holding opposing offenses at bay for the most part.
“Obviously, we were disappointed,” Virginia Barber, coach of the Mustangs said. “We were playing so well that we knew if we continued we could make history for our program. With Neci King on the mound and her mindset, she was going to take us far. Behind her we had a ton of motivated girls that worked hard. It was hard to watch it end early.”
But there’s no point in looking back after last year’s sudden stop.
“Our goal this year is to play each game like it’s our last,” Barber said. “After last season, we learned a valuable lesson: You never know when it’s your last game.”
Unfortunately for Barber – that last game came for a team stacked with six seniors and a ton of experience as most were multi-year starters.
What happens then?
Next Mustang up.
“This season is just as bright, we just have a different approach,” said Barber. “After losing our ace to graduation, we had to search for players to step up. We have two juniors who have taken on that role and are working hard for the top spot.”
Jerrica Word and Katie Kramer will handle the pitching duties this season.
“They both have a ton of game experience, but haven’t pitched on varsity.”
Having untested arms is going to be a giant question mark going into the season.
Barber: “We play a lot of games and have new pitchers that will have to work to keep us moving forward. They can definitely do it but with the amount of games and tournaments we will really have to focus on saving them for area games.”
Area is going to be interesting as the alignment pits the Mustangs against rival Wetumpka and Benjamin Russell. BRHS and SE are no strangers. For Barber though, this will be her first time competing against the Wildcats.
“We’ve played Wetumpka more times than I can count and I know they will have a strong program,” Barber said. “(BRHS) we will have to see what they have.”
The season’s success is going to come down to the play of the seniors – Barber’s babies.
“This is a special group to me,” Barber said. “They were seventh graders my first year at Stanhope Elmore; so this will be the first class that I have coached all the way through at SE. they are my ‘babies.’ With that being said, they know exactly what I expect. They know what to do and how to do it.”
Leadership shouldn’t be a question with this group.
“I jokingly tell folks they don’t need me because the girls in this group are such leaders,” Barber said. “Rikki McAdames is a ‘coach’ on and off the field that everyone looks up to. We are really looking to her to be the leader of the bunch. Brooke Burket has been playing varsity since seventh-grade and her leadership and skills should help push us. Alexus Milford is a vocal leader and has been an encouragement to others. Emily McElvaine has really stepped us this season so far and is falling into a leadership role. Lindsey White leads by action. She’s not going to be the one that tells everyone what to do but she is the type to prove herself by her skills. Peyton Thomas is the last of the bunch and is the quiet leader and is always encouraging. She always works no matter what role we need her to be in.”
Outside of the seniors – there are some promising Mustangs poised to make noise.
Barber highlighted the work of Kelbi Johnson, who has been the squad’s starting shortstop since she was in eighth-grade and is now hitting for power from both sides of the plate. Shakeria Washington is going to be key in a utility role. And then there’s the young buck, Jada McLeod that’s a freshman and is known to hit for power.
The Mustangs will open their season Feb. 12-13 on the road in the Tallassee High Tournament and then will make their Millbrook debut a few days later, February 16.
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