Lady Knights coach placed in new setting

By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Feb. 19, 2004
When West Lauderdale opens its fast-pitch softball season against Meridian Friday at Northeast Park, Glen Sanders will be coaching not only his first game with the Lady Knights, but his first fast-pitch game.
The good news is that he has coached baseball for years and many of the more successful fast-pitch coaches in the area have that same background.
Several factors have combined to slow down early-season preparations. There's been lots of rain, to go with several softball players being involved in the weather-delayed soccer playoffs and others on the basketball team which will continue its season at least through Monday.
The softball team would do well to steal a page from the soccer girls in that both are in their second season of competition and the soccer team played for the Class 1A-2A-3A state championship last weekend.
Kirby Rutledge, the team's lone senior, will see time on the mound along with freshmen Katy Nabors and Brooke Lee.
Behind the plate will be freshmen Jessica Vick and Ginny Claire Hitt. Vick saw playing time a year ago.
At first base are sophomore Sommer Jones and freshman Josie Mathews.
At second base are sophomore Morgan Gullette and eighth grader Kylie Rowell.
Sophomore Holly Herrington returns at shortstop with Lee and freshman Haley Campbell expected to play third base.
The outfield contingent will come from Rutledge, freshman Kayla Eubanks, sophomore Ashley Helms, freshman Kristi Lantz, Madeline Dorman, freshman Sara Havard, and possibly others, Sanders said.
The Lady Knights will be playing in a region with defending Class 3A state champion Newton County, Southeast Lauderdale, and Raleigh. Two will make the playoffs.