Prep Profile: GRCHS Softball Team

Coach: Matt Puckett, second season. Record: 29-10.
Last year: The Lady Cardinals went 28-10 and lost to Montgomery County in the finals of the 10th¿Region Tournament at Pendleton County. Clark to the Lady Indians 1-0 in the 40th District finals at Cardinal Heights.
Starters lost: Amy Haggard, Caitlin Collins, Shami Williams, Megan Bealert, Ali Martin.
Top Returnees: Rebecca Strange, Whitney Conkwright, Kolbi Mitchell, Skye Skinner.
Outlook: Puckett will have a “young group” to work with in his second season at the helm. Strange is the Lady Cards’ lone senior and will be counted on to provide leadership. “It’s all about coming together and growing as a team,” Puckett said. “We have to outwork everyone else.” Puckett said his team’s biggest weakness is “inexperience in varsity games.” He added that his team’s defense is one of the strengths of his team. “With us being so young, there is so much room to improve and they are willing to put the time in to do so.” Puckett said his team’s goal is to “win the district tourney and advance to the region, where anything can happen.” He added that Montgomery County and Bourbon County are the top two teams in the region. “They both have veteran ball clubs with good pitching.” Puckett added former ace and Tennessee Tech standout Lori Bayless to his coaching staff during the off-season. “She is a very good pitching coach,” Puckett said. Even though many consider Clark in a rebuilding phase, Puckett said his team is on a mission. “We like to take it as a challenge to prove some people wrong. We are hoping these young ladies will go out, make some noise to show the 10th¿Region that Clark County’s softball future is very bright.”
Schedule: Today, 6 p.m., at West Jessamine; Thursday, Dublin (Ohio) and Estill County, 7 and 8:30 p.m.; March 23-24 at Mayfield Ice Creamier Lady Eagle Classic, Johnson Central; March 26, Rockcastle County, 6 p.m.; March 29, at Paris, 5:30 p.m.; March 30, Jeffersontown, 6 p.m.; April 6-8 at Play it Again Sports Tournament, Clarksville, Tenn.; April 9, Paris, 6 p.m., April 10, at Tates Creek, 6 p.m.; April 12, at Montgomery County, 5:30 p.m.; April 13, Madison Southern and Fleming County, 6 and 9 p.m.; April 17, at Bourbon County, 5:30 p.m.; April 20, Scott County, 9 p.m.; April 21, Tates Creek and East Jessamine, noon and 4:30 p.m.; April 23, at Estill County, 5:30 p.m.; April 24, at Henry Clay, 6 p.m.; April 26, Montgomery County, 5:30 p.m.; April 27-28 at Tanner Dodge Classic, Stanton; May 1, at Madison Central, 6 p.m.; May 3, Bourbon County, 5:30 p.m.; May 4, Western Hills, 6 p.m.; Henry Clay, 9 p.m.; May 8, at Walton Verona, 5:30 p.m.; May 9, at Jeffersontown, 6 p.m.; May 14 West Jessamine, 6 p.m.; May 15, at East Jessamine, 6 p.m.; May 17, Model, 6 p.m.; May 18, Dunbar, 5:30 p.m.; Blazer, 8:30 p.m.