McConnell takes over Glenwood Softball

Story by Griffin Pritchard | Publisher

CENTRAL ALABAMA SCOREBOARD OFFICE – This spring will signal the start of the Mark McConnell era of softball at Glenwood as he replaces longtime skipper Dusty Perdue. Regardless of who’s standing in that third-base coaches’ box, the expectations are the same and that is to return to Montgomery in May and compete for an AISA Championship. Last season the Lady Gators rattled off 31-wins and a fourth-place finish behind eventual state champion Bessemer and runner-up Clarke Prep.

McConnell: “We play a lot of games this season and consistency will be the key. As a group, we want to remain consistent and improve every day. I know it is cliché, but we want to remain consistent and play our best softball when it counts at the end of the year. We are looking forward to the grind of a long season.”

The good thing for the Gators is that they have some ladies that understand the softball season grind. After bidding adieu to Mae Durham (now playing at Chattahoochee Valley), a host of Lady Gators have stepped up and stepped in focused on bringing that black trophy back to Phenix City.

Ariana Pinder – last season’s All-Tournament and AISA All-Star selection – returns and will be key in the line-up before leaving the Eastern Time Zone for Montevallo and a softball scholarship. Beyond that, McConnell is going to lean on Kaylin Fincher, Simone Gillispie and Abby Torres.

Gillispie – according to McConnell could have a breakout season.