Putnam County High School (PCHS) graduated all but two starters last spring, so this season turned out to be a rebuilding year as returning senior starters Lily Frisch and Sammantha Spisak took teammates under their wings through encouragement and led by example.
PCHS has a three-member coaching staff, including head coach Mollie Jones and assistants Trent McLeroy and Patrick Grainey, who led both the Lady Eagles JV and varsity squads.
Jones said she believes teaching the game as a team of coaches allowed for a “more game-time environment” during practices. This was particularly important this year with a very young team, as some players had never even picked up a glove or bat until this season.
The varsity Lady Eagles finished 4th in the region while the JV squad gained experience and fundamentals. A noteworthy performance came from freshman Bristol Harris, who was a true workhorse for the Lady Eagles, demonstrating maturity and strength throughout the season.
Additionally, consistent hitting by Abby Grace Smith and Spisak was an important factor, including both hitting out-of-the-park home runs in the region tournament.
When asked about this year’s takeaways and looking ahead to 2024, Jones said, “Hitting, conditioning, and strength training needs to be focused on during the off-season,” then added, “I am excited about the next season. Everyone will have a season under their belt, so we should be in a great position.”
Looking ahead, first baseman and strong hitter Spisak will be playing at the next level after signing with Wesleyan on a scholarship for the 2024-25 season.