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Softball

Florence Darlington Tech Softball Prepares for Another Strong Finish in NJCAA Region X

Florence Darlington Technical College (FDTC) Lady Stingers completed the 2008-2009 season with a solid finish in NJCAA Region X .  For three consecutive years, Tech finished third in the region with a mark of 26 wins and 13 losses.  Coach Watson’s 2009 team sent two players to four year institutions with Blair Warren (Darlington, SC- FDTC 2009 Best ALL Round Player )  signing with USC- Aiken University and Jessica Hogan (Randleman, NC- NJCAA Region X – First Team Player) playing at Frances Marion University.   With only two returning players and nine freshmen the coaches are prepared for some extensive training in preparations for a highly competitive schedule this year. 

Tech will be hosting eighteen home games and traveling for twenty- two away games.  The away games include tournaments in Tennessee and Florida.  The Florida Tournament will play host to several top ten NJCAA teams to make the tournament a premier event.   

The 2009-2010 squad will be lead by returning sophomores, First Basemen- Kayla Boles (East Surry High School, Pilot Mt., NC) and Utility Player- Brittany Garren (SW Randolph High School in Asheboro, NC).  Kayla (.360 BA) and Garren (.491 BA) were some of the hitting leaders from last year’s Lady Stingers team. Garren was also recognized by NJCAA as one of the top national hitters recorded last year.

The freshmen class has many softball players that have received honors for their exceptional play, including:  Pitchers- Danielle Spivey of Marion, SC  (SC 2009 All-State and All- Region) , Lauren Osborne- Fayetteville, NC (2006-2009 NC All- State), and Meagan McLain- Conway, SC (2006-2009 SC All Conf/ North-South All Star/ SC Caws ).  Other key players include:  Third Basemen- Brittany Godwin- Summerton, SC (2007 SCISA Player of the Year/ State Champions),

Catcher- McKenzie Collins- Westfield, NC (2006-2008 NC All Conference Player), Infielders- Alison Lohr- Lexington, NC (2007-2008 NC All Conf/ All District - State/ NC State Champions/ Spartan Award), Logan Parker- Pageland, SC (2007-2009 SC All Region/ All State Awards), Outfielders- Sydney Teal- Patrick, SC (2005-2009 SC All Region/ SC CAWS All Star Award), and Florence, SC  native Nicole Goodson (2008-2009 SC Lower State Championship Team Member). 

FDTC has much to prove with a very young team this year, but plans to push for a spot in the NJCAA Region X Championship game.   Coach Watson says, “we must find good team chemistry with strong leadership to lead this team back to the top ranks of Region X this year”.   The Lady Stingers will open the 2009-2010 season at Southeastern CC, in Whiteville, NC, at 2 PM.  The first home event will take place at Freedom Florence, on February 12, 2010, against state rival USC- Sumter (Lady Fire Ants), at 1 PM.   Go Lady Stingers!!!!!!