Werth, PV Softball Anxious To Start

I visited with coach Kevin Werth and a few of PV's softball players yesterday at Maurisa Ellis' signing (with Odessa College).

They seemed ready to chase their fifth consecutive 4A state championship.

The first baseball and softball games are two weeks from today.

"These kids are. They're chomping at the bit," Werth said. "Right now we have the whole program together practicing. All these older ones, that's what they ask me every day, 'When are we gonna split up, coach? When are we gonna split up?' so they can get after it a little bit more."

Werth said they're focused on the basics right now and hammering fundamentals, but his players won't mind when they take the field March 5 for the Linda Crabtree Softball Challenge.

"They're looking forward to the season starting, minus the weather," Werth said. "You know, we're so used to that stuff. You live in this area and play softball, or spring sports for that matter, you better be ready for all four seasons in one day, and we try to ignore the weather and just do what we've got to do."

Junior Rachael Ward said the team isn't focused on the expectations.

"I don't think we have any pressure because we're prepared for the situation," she said. "We're all prepared and we all practice really hard to get to where we need to be to win this fifth one."

Sounds similar to what Colts coach Jim Caldwell said before the Super Bowl.

Then again, the Lady Panthers don't have to face Drew Brees and the collective consciousness of the entire city of New Orleans.

Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher