Softball begins spring season with high hopes

The most recent addition to the school's athletic program is softball, and head coach Lee Dobbins has high expectations."My experience is the top quality that will lead a first-year program," said Dobbins.Dobbins received a Bachelor's in Communication from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville before gaining 15 years of experience. Two out of those 15 years were spent as an assistant coach at the college level, one year as a head coach at Lander University and one year as head coach of the Dustdevils.This year's team is composed of 15 players; only one is a sophomore and fourteen are freshmen.Dobbins believes his team's youth can play to their advantage because the girls don't know what to expect; at the same time, youth also brings inexperience, thus creating problems when the girls compete against veteran players.Nonetheless, Dobbins has big plans for the softball program."I want us to become a successful provisional member so we can eventually win a conference title," he said. "Even though it might take us a few years, I also want us to win a national title and let others know that our school holds many talented athletes."Although Dobbins has high hopes for the softball program, academics remain a top priority."I always stress academics; I want all of the 15 girls to graduate within three or four years," he said. "Their college education will not only better their lives but also the lives of their future families."Dobbins is excited about the spring season, and he encourages the campus community to watch the softball games as well as partake in the bingo games the team will be holding."We will be giving out gift certificates for the bingo winners and try our best to make it fun for the public," said Dobbins. "We have to remember that it's not just a game we host but also an event."The softball team will have its first home game on Feb. 20 at Veteran's Field. It will be hosting Schreiner University for a double-header that begins at 2:00 p.m.