Big Red JV Softball Looks to Develop Program

Becoming a part of the family is the top goal for the Glen Cove High School's junior varsity softball team, and sophomore pitcher Alison Bande hopes to lead that family.

As a returning junior varsity player, Bande will lead the Big Red and help to develop the softball program at Glen Cove. 

"If we get closer as a family, we'll become a better team," she said.

Bande said the most important tool for her team this season is to work on communication on the field. Keeping everyone from the catcher to the infield to the outfield in the loop is part of her responsibility in the circle, she said.

"I want everyone included on what's going on," Bande said.

Rookie head coach Amy Hotine will mentor the 19-player team after spending three years leading the Robert M. Finley Middle School softball team.

"One strength is that we have a lot of young players, so hopefully that will lead to having a really strong program," Hotine said.

As far as on the field, Hotine said she is most excited about the pitching – led by Bande – and the fielding ability of her team.

A benefit for this team will be Hotine's past experience with many of the players at the middle school level. Instead of the coach having to learn the strengths and weaknesses of a whole team, she knows a core group that will allow her to skip plenty of steps in the evaluation process.

The ultimate goal for these players is for them to improve on their skills and help out both the junior varsity and possibly the varsity team as best they can, Hotine said.

"I expect them to have fun," she added. "I think we have a very good chance at having a winning record this year."

Leading the team will be freshman pitcher Alexa Johnson, who Hotine expects to have a good year; Brianna Peet will catch for the team as a freshman after playing for Hotine last year at the middle school level; and Tia Sanders, a freshman, is projected by Hotine to fair well at the plate in her first season on the junior varsity squad.

"In general there are some girls where this is their first year playing," Hotine explained. "There are some girls who've been playing since they were 5-years- old. We have a good mix of players."

The group of new-to-softball players is a sign of a growing program at Glen Cove, Hotine said.

"I know in years past they've had barely enough to field a team," Hotine said. "The softball program is getting stronger."