The Warrior softball team has started out strong this season with a new field, some new coaches, and a new mentality about wanting to work hard this season.
On August 1, the Warrior softball team kicked off a first day of tryouts on the new Warrior Field, commencing the 2014-2015 season for North Atlanta softball. The team began its season off strong with a tournament following the first week of school. During the tournament, the Warriors successfully battled Mount Vernon Presbyterian School, a perennial rival. With a victory against the Mustangs, the Warriors notched their first victory of the year.

“This year, we have a lot of talent on our team and if we work hard, we can reach our goal of going the playoffs and to state,” said team captain Ally Bellavia.

Now in her fourth consecutive year playing, Bellavia is the team’s only senior. This season, the softball program was large enough and strong enough to have both a varsity and junior varsity team. The varsity team will play 23 games, with 12 of them within regional 7-5A competition. “Our region is tremendously competitive,” Lisa Oglesby, team head coach and a special education teacher. “I believe that good competition facilitates team growth. With the experience and combination of talent that we have, I am optimistic about this year’s softball season and the future of Warrior softball in our new region.”

The increase in softball players has required a need for a larger coaching staff. The team recruited two new community coaches, Scott Sizemore and Andy Cimowsky. Sizemore is the community head coach for the varsity team and Cimowsky is assisting with batting practice and drills for both teams. Sizemore has already led the team in numerous drills with the girls to prepare them for the season ahead. The focus has been improving speed and accuracy, developing strong batting techniques, and honing smart base-running instincts. “He is a patient teacher and he has a tremendous passion for the sport and the girls who play. You can really see that he wants them to be the best players they can be,” Cimowsky said about Sizemore.

Many things are new for the NAHS softball players this year, but not all things. The team has a total of 11 returning players, but they welcomed eight new members to the family this season. “It’s incredible how only after a few weeks we have not only come together as a team, but as a Warrior family,” said sophomore Cameron Balish.

The softball team usually has games on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday along with practices on Mondays and Fridays. The Warriors are ready for a victory to come their way and are excited about all the new things the season ahead will bring.