Burgin Softball Preview: Young Bulldogs Ready To Start Winning
The Lady Bulldogs hope to build a winner this year. Front row: Jemma Jenkins, Peighten Sebastian, Kynlee Sexton, Ashton Lester, Keelee Satterly and Carlee Elam. Back row: Brooklyn Collins, Allie Stewart, Grace Cocanougher, Morgan Renner, Chloe Henson, Tristan Frederick, Emma Steinback, Claire Pauley and Jocelyn Stanley. (Image submitted).
April Ellis
The Burgin Lady Bulldogs with second year coach Scott Elder have been working in the preseason to improve on last years 5-15 softball season. With two seasoned seniors, Peighten Sebastian and Grace Cocanougher, Elder looks to pick up several more wins this season with his young team.
Elder knows the team’s youth is going to be a challenge for them this season, but the players realize building a strong program is a marathon and not a sprint.
“Our number one goal is to continue to build the program through player development. That’s a long process in it’s self,” he said. “We have a team goal of increasing our win total from last year.”
Elder looks to his two seniors to help the underclassmen develop into a winning program.
“Our two seniors this year, Peighten Sebastian and Grace Cocanougher, both have been with Burgin softball program since middle school,” said Elder, “Both have gotten varsity minutes early in their career. We will lean heavily on both of them to lead our young players.”
Cocanougher returns behind the plate as catcher. She averaged .347 with nine runs batted in.
“During the off season, Peighten and I have worked one-on-one with softball specialists. We focused on batting and fielding to ensure that we come prepared for our Senior season,” said Cocanougher.
With her work in the off season, she has goals set for herself and the team this year.
“I have multiple goals for this season. The highest is to see my team come together,” she said. “Right now, our team is extremely young, but has great potential. I am more than honored to mentor and guide these girls so that they can further the softball program at Burgin. I believe that with dedication and perseverance, these girls can create a strong legacy.”
