ADDISON, Ala. — Addison Head Coach Lana Hines is hopeful that the 2021 season will be better than the 2020 season that was cut short due to COVID-19. Coach Hines will be fielding a varsity team that is made up of mostly eighth and ninth graders this spring.
“I really wish that we could have played a normal year in 2020, just to get my girls the experience,” Hines said. “It wouldn’t have really mattered what our record was due to the fact that the majority of the players could have gotten a ton of at bats and game time reps.”
Coach Hines will be assisted by Jeff Luker and Jeremy Luker. Both coaches bring a wealth of experience to the dugout during gamedays.
“Those two men really help me out a lot during the work week as well as during the game.”
Addison may be the youngest team in the state this year. It looks like at least half the starters will be freshmen or eighth graders.
“We have over 30 girls out this year so we may be able to field a varsity, junior varsity and B team. We will be young, but our girls love to play and always put forth great effort,” Hines said. “Being youthful may be a blessing in disguise because they (the girls) really don’t know that they aren’t expected to compete this year.”
Addison will be relying on their ace pitcher, junior Anna Grace Luker, to carry the load on the mound for the Lady Bulldogs. Luker has several quality pitches and is as tough a competitor as you will find. Luker happens to be one of the few upper classmen on the team and her bat will definitely be counted on as well.
Hines’ big issue is finding a number two pitcher to follow Luker. Hines is hoping one or two of the eighth graders can step up and give them some quality innings when Luker’s arm needs a rest.
“We have some good young ladies who have a lot of potential, but they just don’t have a lot of experience,” Hines said. “Hopefully one of them can rise to the occasion for us this year.”
One young lady that doesn’t lack experience is senior catcher/first baseman Madison Aderholt.
“Madison is a leader on this team and our lone senior. She is one of our few veteran players,” Hines said. “Madison has been a starter on varsity since she was in the eighth grade. She is an excellent hitter and gives us quality at bats.”
Juniors Saige Carter (catcher/outfielder), Karley Early (outfielder) and sophomore Lexie Luker (1B/3B) will be counted on to carry the lumber and lead the defense as well.
“We have some girls that can hit the ball pretty well, we just have to work on being consistent day in and day out,” Hines said. “We want to be able to say that we will be better after each and every game. Just improve as the season goes on and learn to play together as a team and become better as an individual player.”
Addison plays a pretty tough schedule in 2021.
“I scheduled our girls against good teams because I believe, that the better the teams you play the better you get,” Hines said. “We swapped Hatton, a perennial state championship contender for Sumiton Christian, another state championship contender.”
Coach Hines believes that Winston County also has three other teams that Addison can compete with for the County championship.
“Winston County, Meek and Lynn are always good teams and we will have our hands full trying to win the county,” Hines said. “If our girls improve during the season, I see no reason why we can’t compete for a county championship.”
Addison opens up with the Oakman Lady Wildcats at home on the 22nd of February. So, come out and support the Baby Bulldogs as they begin their journey on the diamond in 2021.
Roll Addi Roll!
Copyright 2021 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
