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Dillon Christian softball in fight to make state playoffs

By David Shelton

Senior Writer

Dillon – With just a week remaining in the regular season, the Dillon Christian softball team was locked in a battle for third-place in region 4-AA and coach Billy Massengale felt his team would be a part of the upcoming SCISA state tournament.

While the overall record includes more losses than victories this season, Massengale reports that his team has competed quite well during the 2012 season.

“We’ve lost several one and two runs ball games this season, mostly due to some errors and base-running mistakes by inexperienced players,” says the coach. “Without having it all in front of me, I would say there are at least five losses by one or two runs. We have been very competitive. When we are playing well defensively, we can play with any team out there. We’re very capable of competing with the best teams but we’re not good enough to play poorly and make mistakes and get by. We have to play well.”

Massengale started the season with several inexperienced performers and says his goal of getting better each day has been achieved with this year’s team.

“We have our bad days but generally we have improved some every day and we’re getting better,” said Massengale. “I think we’re gaining confidence with each game and that’s real important with a young team. We are hitting a little more consistently of late and I think those really bad days of poor defense are behind us now.”

Massengale says Marlboro Academy has clinched the region title with Williamsburg Academy taking second place. His team and Pee Dee Academy are tied for third in the region. Dillon played Marlboro and Williamsburg during the final week of regular season play.

Senior pitcher Reagan Massengale continues to be among the top pitchers in Class AA and is closing in on 600 career strikeouts. She also is one of the team’s leading hitters, along with junior catcher Lauren Lee.

Sophomore shortstop Sarah Fitzgibbons has been a good defender and contributes well offensively while freshman outfielder Ansley Hamer has been a big surprise offensively, according to Massengale.

Freshman Margaret Desser continues to work at first base and Catherine Brown is working at second. Senior Madeline Desser plays third and senior Courtney Miller is the starting centerfielder.

Senior Hannah Shackleford is working in the outfield, along with senior Emily Prutzman.

Rounding out the team are senior outfielder Catherine Lechette and sophomore outfielder Greta Seay.

 

br style="font-weight: bold;"> Dillon (10/14/09) - The Dillon Christian volleyball team has continued its strong start and is currently 19-2 overall.  A big key to that success has been because of outside hitter Marian Carr.

"She's a leader on the floor, one of the team captains and statistically she leads the team in most categories.  She's sound fundamentally and is our go-to person in terms of offense.  She's also a solid defensive player as well," head coach Glen Parrish said.


Carr, a 5'7 senior, averages 5.3 kills, 1.0 digs, and 3.0 service aces per game.  She serves at a 86 percent clip and serves as an assistant coach when she's on the floor.  She was named team MVP and made All-Region and all state a season ago.


"Typically what I'm looking for her to do is give me input on various in-game situations.  If we need to make adjustments during that game, she communicates with me and we try to make those adjustments.  She has a good feel of the skills and abilities of the other players and is pretty objective at what she tries to do.  She's definitely a team player," Parrish said.


Carr also wants to play volleyball at the next level.  A good student in the classroom, she is interested in attending either Charleston Southern University or the College of Charleston.


"She takes her responsibilities to heart and is very dependable.  I never have to worry about her and I can always count on her to set the pace for others.  She is goal-oriented and wants to get into nursing, and she's an upstanding student deserving of all the credit she gets," Parrish said.


Overall, Carr has been a mainstay in the starting lineup since her freshman year and the Lady Warriors will have to fill a huge void after she gradates.


"If I had to give you two words it would be 'big hole.'  She's an excellent hitter and a good defensive player and we will be looking for someone to step up when she leaves.  She's definitely going to be missed," Parrish said.


 

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