Coach Chad Trahan is beginning his 21st year as the head coach for Tecumseh’s Fast Pitch team. Trahan’s teams have built a program, with 10 State Tournaments under his belt, and have brought four State Championship Finals and five State Semifinals.
Last year, the Lady Savages assembled a record of 29-7 through the season and made it to the State Tournament, finishing their year in the Quarterfinals. This season, the T-Town ladies have five returning starters and five seniors to bring a solid foundation for the team, with both the starters and seniors being the same five.
The starters/seniors are Maddie Gray, Josie Walker, Haley “HJ” Mansell, Jacee Townsend and Jaylie Anderson. Gray will cover shortstop, and Townsend will be in the pitcher’s circle, with both being in the same spot as last year. Walker, Mansell and Anderson will be at new positions, with Walker going to first base, Mansell at second base and Anderson at the hot corner (3rd base). The outfield will be covered with some developing underclassmen for the Lady Savages.
Over the summer, the Lady Savages went to the Dale Scrimmage Festival in June, and Coach Trahan felt the scrimmages were beneficial, getting the young players on the field.
“It gave us a chance to get some new ones on the field,” according to Coach Trahan. “We made some mistakes in the games, which was good for us because (it) gave us some to work on and get better.”
“As far as this team, we have a mix of varsity experience and some that are new on the field,” stated Trahan.
The Lady Savages’ numbers are low on the team this year and you can expect some struggles early in the season, as young players settle into their spots, as well as the experienced players will be finding their footing in their new positions. When Coach Trahan was asked about the Lady Savages’ goals for the season, he knows his team will have some work to do.
“With us being with some young players at certain spots, we have some work to do, but through the season, we will get better,” said Coach Trahan. “Also our seniors and some starting returners playing in new positions, but we will have to count on them, too.”
Coach Trahan may have some inexperience on the field, but he has experienced assistants. Long-time Fast Pitch Assistant Perry Wilson is a cornerstone in Tecumseh Softball. Assistant Aspen Grimes doesn’t have Wilson’s experience, but Grimes is returning as an assistant and has proficiency brought to the team, as a Lady Savage softball player and Tecumseh alumna.
The Lady Savages began practice last week on July 30 and will begin the season on Aug. 11 at Prague. The home opener for Tecumseh will be on Aug. 24, as the Lady Savages host Seminole.
