2008 Softball Season Preview
The 2008 softball season begins a new era for the Meredith Avenging Angels softball program. This season will mark many firsts for the program and the College. This year will be the first in the program’s history to be played as a member of an NCAA Division III Conference. Meredith entered the USA South Athletic Conference as the tenth conference member this fall, and will have its first conference softball game on Tuesday, March 18th at home against North Carolina Wesleyan.
On January 23, 2008, Meredith College marked another first in the program’s history by hiring its first full-time head softball coach. Robert Luckadoo, of Marion, N.C., was hired from his position as an assistant coach at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to lead the Avenging Angel program into this exciting new period. Luckadoo is thrilled about the future of his new team and the future of intercollegiate athletics at Meredith College.
“I am very excited and extremely honored to be the one chosen to lead this softball program to the next level. We have an outstanding group of young athletes in our softball program who have shown a tremendous amount of heart thus far in our season. This is one of the hardest working teams that I have ever had the opportunity to coach. Although we are a little behind the other members of our conference in time together, I am sure that our team’s work ethic, hustle and heart will more than make up the difference by season’s end. I am very excited about our team and the program’s future,” said Luckadoo.
Returnees to the program from last season include senior outfielder Amber Littesy, who batted .269 with 28 hits, catcher Jess Maurice, and junior outfielder Toni Tricarico, who batted .340 with 33 hits. Sophomore Beth Sprinkle, a utility player who expects to see time in the infield and outfield this season, is the only other returner from last season’s roster.
Luckadoo’s roster will include seven freshmen who will be expected to step in and play right away, and to carry a heavy load in their first season with the program. The battery will include a pair of freshmen on the mound. Becki Roebock and Arielle Stout can expect split time with the pitching duties. Freshman Val Sherrer could see time both on the mound and behind the plate. An all-freshmen infield is likely with Anna Beavon Gravely and McKenzie Caskey at the corners. Middle infielders include freshman Dana Higgins at short stop and Jenn Towns at second base. Senior speedster Tamara Rhodes, a first-year player with the team, will see time in the outfield, and can be expected to make her mark on the base path as well.
“I have very high expectations, not only for this season, but for the future of the program here at Meredith. We have a great nucleus of young, energetic, hard-working players who have a tremendous amount of heart and love for the game. As a coach, I couldn’t ask for a better foundation on which to build a successful program,” said Luckadoo.
Luckadoo will be assisted this season by Peggy Ross. Ross works in the Health, Exercise and Sports Science department.
The Avenging Angels will open the 2008 season at home hosting Lynchburg College on February 16. Other key matches include playing in Virginia Beach and Salem, Va., in preseason tournaments. A tough USA South Athletic Conference schedule will dominate the second half of the season.
