PREP SOFTBALL: Cougars beat rival Wilson
In Fishersville, the Stuarts Draft softball team picked up a 5-1 non-district win over rival Wilson Memorial on Thursday.
Stuarts Draft starter Erin Brown picked up the win, pitching the distance while striking out two and walking one while giving up seven hits. The Cougars’ Tiffany Robertson was 2-for-4 with an RBI.
The Cougars (5-5, 1-2 Southern Valley) will host Rockbridge today in a Southern Valley District showdown.
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Reader Reactions
“You accepted the coaching position now take the heat.“
Excuse me, but since when does accepting a high school coaching position warrant “taking the heat?“ We, high school coaches, don’t make six figures like you may think. It’s more like four or less and doesn’t EVEN come close to us coming out ahead. Mistake or not, no high school coach deserves to “take the heat” from the those in the stands. As far as the “fans” not saying anything out of the way about the coaches, I disagree. I’ve been in the stands and heard the “fans” criticize the coaches and yell at the girls when they make mistakes. The “fans” need to cheer and let those who are willing to step up and coach do the coaching. If you want to coach, then put in your application! Otherwise, just cheer on the team! What you don’t understand is that your comments on this blog will do more damage to the team than anything the coaches will say or do. I am a former hornet and a current hornet coach. I am very proud of our school and our athletes but can’t say the same for some of the “fans!“
I, too, am not afraid to sign my name, Coach Jackie Bryan
In response to the Mad as a Hornet, I think it is unfortunate and cowardly that you choose to voice your issues with Wilson Softball anonymously and for the entire world to see. You could have taken the higher road and made an appointment with the Coaches. This kind of comment breeds talk and further demoralizes a team. Not all teams are perfect, we don’t always win and I hate that too but maybe you need to grow up. Don’t feel sorry or apologize to my Wilson player since she realizes no one is actually out to get her and that life is not always fair, she has actually had to work for her success and it has served her well.
Unlike you I am willing to sign my name to my comments.
Karen Parker
Great coverage on the Cougars especially their heralded freshmen. There are other players on this TEAM as shown in the small article of the Cougars and Wilson softball game writeup. Thanks to the upperclassmen for your part of this TEAM.
There is so many things wrong with the Wilson Softball program it is hard to know where to start. You have three volleyball coaches trying to coach softball and their inexperience and lack of coaching ability are screaming load and clear in their actions. I would like to apologize to each and every team member and parent for what you have had to endure this year. The coaching staff has not properly prepared you for games, they cannot coach the bases, they blame the players for coaching mistakes, they move the batting line up around every game and they do not know how to put the best player in a given position.
I have watched a coach send a player and when they get out say they did not send them so the player gets blamed. The coaching staff does not know when to bunt and when to hit away. Also, if you send a player and they get out take responsibility. The players are tentative running the bases because they are scared that if they get out they will get blamed. Poor base coaching has cost this team at least four loses out of their six loses.
The coaching staff talks loudly amongst themselves about poor fan support in such a way that the fans can hear them. They also complain to the players about how poor the fan support is. They lack the common sense to realize that the fans are their parents. I feel that the fans have been great this year. Of course when you make a mistake you are going to hear a little grief so grow up. You accepted the coaching position now take the heat. The fans have not said anything out of the way to the coaches. If the coaches have a problem with the fans address the fans not a high school student. I guess they do not want to face the wrath that would rain down on them if they would say what they tell the girls.
This team is defeated before they start a game. You can look at the girls and they are going through the motions. I guess the lack of preparation and all of the time being blamed by the coaching staff has really worn them down. At this level you play the best player for the position no matter what grade they are in or where they have played in the past. The players pick up vibes from the coaches and it seems like the coaching staff is not there to win. Would someone on the coaching staff please explain how telling the girls that they are just one step above the last place team in the district improved confidence. I think if you would check the standings they are tied for second in the district. They would be tied for first but the coaching staff blew opportunity after opportunity in the only district loss to Riverheads. You are going to play a very good team today so you gather the team in a huddle after a loss and fire up the girls by telling them how sorry they are. That is some great confidence building. Maybe if the girls actually had effective practices they would be in a better position to win.
I would love to know what qualified these three to coach softball. I am sure the other coaches they have faced chuckle on the inside after watching them. They have been taken to school by other coaching staffs all year and still have not learned how to improve their coaching abilities. This team has the talent to win the district and go deep into the playoffs. I know players will make mistakes but you need to pick them and correct them in a positive manner. So if you want to come watch an inexperienced coaching staff perform comedy come watch how they coach a game.
Once again I am sorry girls for what you have to endure day in and day out. You are a great bunch of players and do not deserve what you have had to endure this season. Good Luck and Go Hornets.
Mad as a Hornet
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