Gators softball team improved on diamond

By Rob Gantt

Special to the HSSR

GOOSE CREEK - Third-year softball coach Christin Clark and the Goose Creek Gators are headed in the right direction as a program.

The Gators recorded two victory celebrations earlier this spring after going winless last year. The good news is most players on the roster can return for multiple seasons, too.

“I definitely think this year’s team is something brand new,” Clark said. “We’ve progressed to a point where our knowledge and skill are lining up. I think we pose more of a competitive threat to our opponents. I’m looking forward to it. I’m excited because we’re still very young. I don’t have any seniors. I definitely see this program as one that has received some nourishment and is starting to flourish.”

Goose Creek improved to 2-1 in the regular season with a 15-0 victory over visiting St. John’s Christian Monday, March 11, in a non-region game. The Gators’ other win came against Stall. In between, Goose Creek played Timberland High School tight before falling in a close one.

“I think they are excited,” Clark said. “The close game against Timberland, a competitive team that is really well-coached, gave this team some confidence. There is some potential and some hope. I think that ignited a new light of ‘maybe we’ve got this.’ It’s refreshing to see. It’s changed the tone on the practice field, in my hallways, in the school and on the bus rides. We’re a softball team now, and our heads are in it, and we’re committed to it. We’re ready to play hard. They want to win. They know they can now.”

Talented middle schooler Gianna Dettling figures to see most of the innings inside the circle this spring, with junior Hannah Blystone and freshman Jaionna Wheatley also expected to contribute.

“We’ve grown as pitchers the last few years as well,” Clark said. “It’s been an area that we’ve struggled in, but we’ve progressed tremendously.”

Sophomore Lyric Cureton, the lone returning all-region selection and 2023’s leading hitter, is on the other end of the battery as a veteran catcher, while junior first baseman Emery Gandolfo and sophomore Kalli Peake make up the right side of the infield. Wheatley and Dettling are in the hole at shortstop, depending on who is pitching, and junior Gabby Curtis holds down the hot corner at third base.

“Our defense and communication are working a lot better and getting cleaner,” Clark said after the recent win over St. John’s Christian.

Junior Haley Strohl, sophomore Caden Ham and Blystone are in the outfield, left to right.

Goose Creek’s returning starters are Cureton, Gandolfo, Wheatley, Ham and Blystone.