Young Lady Trojans eye divisionals for first time
<p>The Troy softball team stands for a team picture after sweeping a doubleheader against Bonners Ferry. The Lady Trojans, a young, scrappy squad, have sights set on divisionals and maybe even state for the first time in program history.</p>
The Lady Trojans softball team may be young, but what they lack in experience, they are trying to make up for in spirit.
In a lot of cases, that might be a cop-out for a team, but Head Coach Brendan Miller said it will only make his team earn their place.
“We have eight freshman girls who work hard,” Miller said. “That is making the older girls work harder so they don’t lose their positions.”
Troy is led by one senior, Breanna Opland, a steadfast catcher and power hitter. The other team captain is first baseman Caitlin Johnston, a tall, aggressive batter who can get a piece of the ball wherever it’s pitched.
This is good news for Miller, who was planning on his team to be somewhat weak on offense.
In the opening doubleheader against Bonners Ferry, Troy won both games, scoring 14 and 13 runs, respectively.
“I thought our biggest strength would be enthusiasm,” Miller said. “But hitting will be as well, apparently.”
Other players destined to make an impact include third baseman Brenna Garrison, one of the most solid positions on the team. Megan Hight, who did not play in the first games, will make her mark both in center field and as a high on-base percentage batter.
The Trojans won’t have an easy path, as state-champion Florence hosts Troy on May 4. Miller said Deer Lodge and Ronan will be at the top of the conference.
“Ideally, if things come together, we could finish No. 4 in conference,” he said. “We should make divisionals for the first time in our program’s history.”
Miller, in his second year as head coach, has been around Troy’s softball team in some capacity since it started seven years ago. What he has noticed about this year’s iteration of the team is the cooperation, different from years past.
“This group supports each other more,” Miller said. “They push each other in a positive way. They aren’t letting outside stuff affect them.”
Depending on other team’s plans, Troy will either face Libby’s junior varsity squad Friday, March 29, or April 5 against Plains.