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Seniors
Kelly Martin (ss, below) and Kate McDermott (1b, above) will be
just two of
several seniors that
will lead the Greenville Lady Wave inti battle
this season. CNO Photos by George Starks
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Lady Wave looks
to rebound from a season ago
By George Starks
GREENVILLE- Led by returning all-state pitcher Ashley Hanes, the
Greenville Lady Wave will look to better things from a season ago. With
six seniors on the 2012 roster, this team most resembles the 2007 squad
that went to and won the state title in D-II softball.
In his tenth year, Jerrod Newland has tasted it all when it comes to
success on the field.
With two trips to the state final four, one state title (07), two
regional titles, five district championships and a slew of sectional
crowns, Newland and the Lady Wave will leave nothing to chance in 2012.
Coming off a 25-6 record a year ago, the Wave season ended with a loss
to Tipp City in the district final, 8-4.
While most coaches would only dream of that kind of season, Newland was
disappointed.
“A 25-6 record is great for everyone else,” said Newland. “It’s
unacceptable for Lady Wave softball. We have raised the bar here and
the standards are higher now. This year, things will be better.”
In softball, like baseball, it all starts on the mound and that means
Hanes.
“She’s a heck of a ball player,” Newland said of his pitcher. “She can
hit the ball well and plays the outfield.”
In addition to Hanes, will be her battery mate in Paige Wolter. Wolter
is a fourth year catcher and according to Newland has a great arm and
can pitch and play in the field.
Seniors Taylon French, Kate McDermott (1b) and Kayla Harshbarger (3b)
will shore up most of the infield with another four year player
starting a short... Kelly Martin.
“Kelly may be one of the best shortstops in this area,” Newland stated.
“She is consistent and has great range. I would put her up against
anyone at that position.”
In comparison to the 2007 team, Newland sees a lot of similarities.
“This team, like that team, has a lot of expectations,” Newland said.
“They resemble that team. On the 2007 team, we had a bunch of four year
starters and on this team, we have two or three I think. Kelly Martin
at short and Paige Wolter behind the plate are two of the best. We want
to get that sixth district title and we missed that goal last year. We
want to get back to district form again.”
Bottom Line in 2012... BIG EXPECTATIONS!
“Last year we were really disappointed,” Newland said. “Around here,
it’s all about winning the last game and that game is at the state
finals. Nothing else will do. This year, the team goal is to go to the
final four and we’re going to do it.”
The 2011-2012 sports season has been a good one in Darke County/
In the fall, Versailles went to the play-offs in football. Darke County
had three sectional champions, two district champions, a regional champ
and a state final for team in basketball. Darke County also watched
several wrestlers go to state and Newland wants to add to it.
“Darke County has spoken loudly this year in sports,” Newland said.
“This county has a storied tradition in sports and in the years past,
we’ve had our great teams. We are just happy to be a part of the
tradition of Darke County and it’s special to me.”
With 13 varsity players, Newland has big hopes.
“We are going to go to the final four. Anything less is a
disappointment this year,” Newland said. “I know it’s crazy to make
that statement but we will go to the final four. That’s a guarantee.”
The last time Jerrod Newland made that guarantee, the Wave was state
champion.
Facts about Newland and Lady Wave softball the past 10 years:
Numbers provided by Bill Booker:
In 10 years at the helm, Newland has amassed 236 wins in 283 games
coached for a .834 winning percentage.
Lady Wave softball has scored 1959 runs in those 283 games, an average
of 6.9 runs a game.
In the process, Greenville has allowed only 442 runs, an average of 1.6
runs per game.
Advantage in games won is +189 and advantage in runs scored is +1517.
Of the 236 wins, 119 have been by shutout with 74 by a run rule.
Newland by the years:
2003 30 games, 20-10
2004 30 games, 25-5
2005 28 games, 27-1
2006 32 games, 27-7
2007 35 games, 31-4 (State Champions)
2008 31 games, 25-6
2009 32 games, 28-4
2010 34 games, 30-4
2011 31 games, 25-6
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