Softball: Final Coaches Corner with John Gallagher
The ReSporter: What is the major area you see as a Coach that needs to be
Head Coach John Gallagher
improved on as a team for next season?
Coach Gallagher: “The major area of concern going into next season will be offensive production. The players need to work on mechanics of their swing and confidence at the plate. We have some good young hitters to work with and hopefully we can build on that and bring up the level of consistency with the rest of the team. Overall, I see needed work on all areas to improve over this season and become a solid contender.”
The ReSporter: You only lose two players, but those two players are very key components to how far a team can go in Softball…Pitcher and Centerfielder.
Coach Gallagher: “The seniors we loose are key as far as experience and athletic maturity. It will be especially hard to replace Missy Romero because she being a pitcher is the key position for any team. We will have a freshman coming in next season that is talented but will have to adjust quickly to a new system and playing at the high school level. Loosing Caroline Jordan will be huge also. You don’t fill that position with anyone. She gave us speed and the ability to track balls in the outfield. She also produced speed at the plate and on the bases paths. I think we will have some good competition for outfield positions next season, probably more depth than in the infield.”
The ReSporter: With Missy Romero, because she has been the main pitcher for the past four years and Mary Jordan, because how she covered Centerfield and kept the damage minimal…have you started Praying for adequate replacements?
Coach Gallagher: “Offensively replacing Missy Romero will be hard to do because of her ability to make contact and her confidence to produce. We will have to do it with hard work and solid contributions from a young lineup. Briana Young and Kelsey Ahrens were pleasant surprises this season and I expect more from them next season. Hopefully I find that diamond in the rough to come in and contribute.”
The ReSporter: You seem to be in decent shape defensively around the infield….do you perceive any changes?
Coach Gallagher: “I am always looking to improve our infielders whether it’s arm strength or knowing what to do in given situations. I hope we have competition at all the infield positions. We moved players around early in the year to try and find a strong group and we have players that can play at more than one position which is a good problem to have.”
The ReSporter: Freshman were integral in how the team progressed throughout the year….how does that translate as they go into their second year?
Coach Gallagher: “Our freshman I feel learned a great deal of softball both in the classroom and on the field. They should be a little more tougher next year both mentally and physically now knowing what to expect at this level.”
The ReSporter: What do you know about the freshman coming up the pipeline for next year?
Coach Gallagher: “We should have several freshman next season that can challenge for playing time. I am in the process of watching many of them play during the spring/summer season and so far I am encouraged with what I have seen.”
The ReSporter: Final thoughts on the team this season?
Coach Gallagher: “Overall, I was pleased with our returners this year. I thought we should have won a couple of games we didn’t (Navarro) and I thought we played a couple of exceptional games against Bandera and Fredericksburg. Our tournament season went well getting a lot of playing time for the girls. We were right on the edge of breaking into the playoffs but hurt ourselves with inconsistant play at times. I was very happy with how the girls performed in our system and the credit goes to my coaching staff for never letting up at practice and believing in this team.”
Coach Gallagher Finished: “It was great working with The ReSporter as well and thank you for the unbelievabe coverage you provided Canyon Lake Softball. I look forward to next season!”
The ReSporter looks forward too!!
