Lady Doggs eye new season with new coach

“Everything has gone great,” McClure said. “We’ve had a lot of good work at the field. The parents have been unbelievable with their support and the girls have worked hard.”

The turnout of approximately 25 players each day for voluntary summer workouts has also impressed the new head coach.

“That shows their level of commitment,” McClure said.

The WBHS Lady Doggs will open the season in a tournament hosted by Madison County Aug. 11-14. Prior to that the team will compete in a preseason scrimmage Aug. 9 at Walnut Grove in Walton County.
An Aug. 17 contest at Flowery Branch will follow. The team will make its home debut Aug. 18 against Archer.

With official preseason practice beginning this week, McClure said he would look to cover game situation scenarios during the next few days.

“We have a couple of positions open and we are trying to decide who we will have there,” the coach said. “We will be very young again this year. We lost our starting catcher, third baseman and shortstop. When you lose those three positions, it can be tough.”

Five starters return including Kylie Smith, Shae Davis, Ashley Waits, Marissa Merritt and Karri Kiley.

“We are excited about the season,” McClure said. “We are in a historically tough region. We’ll see what we can do with such a young team.”