Brewer’s Lady Patriots are focused on improving their hitting and doing a better  job of finishing games as they prepare for the 2015 softball season.

“Weak hitting, especially with runners in scoring position, was something we struggled with at times last season,” said head coach Nikki Johnson. “We’ve worked hard in the offseason to get that turned around. One of our goals is to become more consistent with our hitting and finish our games with strength.”

Johnson said the strength of her team would be defense.

“We have lots of players with the ability to play more than one position,” she pointed out. “This will give us some flexibility in keeping our lineup strong even when we have someone hurt and unable to play.”

The Lady Patriots finished second in their area and made it to the Class 5A North Regional last year.

“That was a step up for us,” Johnson stated, “because we hadn’t made it out of the area in a long time.

“Our goal this year is to win our area and get past the opening round at regional,” she added. “Of course, we’d be thrilled to make it all the way to state.”

The Lady Patriots are missing nine of last season’s players who graduated, including pitchers Morgan Childers and Ashley McMinemon; catcher Kayla Roberts; and outfielders Alex Kirby and Taylor Gilmore.

The team has six returning starters – senior shortstop Morgan Thomas, senior second baseman Anna Sharp, junior catcher/third baseman Madi Evans, junior pitcher/outfielder Bailey Watkins, junior first baseman Taylor Ledbetter and sophomore outfielder Kayla Mitchell.

Newcomers to the varsity are sophomore Kennedy Winton and junior Katy Couch.

Team members participated in strength and conditioning workouts during the offseason and most played travel ball. They also participated in a team camp at James Clemens High School in June.

Johnson said the biggest challenge facing the Lady Patriots is to develop consistency and overcome losing their composure after making an error.

“This group of players have a desire to improve their skills and possess a strong work ethic,” Johnson stated.

Brewer will compete in an area with Arab and Lee-Huntsville

Jared Miner is working with Johnson as assistant coach.

The Lady Patriots open their season at the Hazel Green Invitational Tournament Feb. 20-21.

2015 Brewer Lady Patriots 

Feb. 20-21 Hazel Green Tournament TBA

Feb. 23 at Hartselle (JV) 4 p.m. (DH)

Feb. 24 at Decatur 4:30 p.m.

Feb. 27-28 Decatur Tournament TBA

March 3 at West Point 4:30 p.m.

March 5 at Guntersville 4:30 p.m.

March 9 at Hatton 4:30 p.m.

March 12 Arab* 4:30 p.m.

March 13-14 DAR Tournament TBA

March 16 Priceville 4:30 p.m.

March 17 Decatur 4:30 p.m.

March 19 Lee-Huntsville 4:30 p.m.

March 20 Westminster Christian 4:30 p.m.

March 30 at West Morgan 2 p.m.

March 31 Lee-Huntsville* 4:30 p.m.

April 4 at Bob Jones TBA

April 6 Hatton 4:30 p.m.

April 9-11 Co. Tourn. (at Wilson-Morgan) TBA

April 13 Guntersville 6 p.m.

April 16 at Arab* 4:30 p.m.

April 23 West Morgan 2 p.m.

April 24-25 Cullman Tournament TBA

April 27 West Point 4:30 p.m. (DH)

April 30-May 2 Area Tournament TBA

* area game