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After a 15 win season and a playoff run in 2021, the Bainbridge High School softball team is ready and determined for another run in 2022. This season, former assistant coach Rex Wade will now be taking the reigns as previous head coach Chris Bryant is now the athletic director for BHS.

Despite the changes, the standard for success is just as high as before. As they open their season at home on August 11, Wade and the Lady Cats are laser focused on adding to the winning legacy of Bainbridge softball.

“Ultimately our goal is what it always is and that is to win another regional championship,” said Wade. “There are also steps and goals we need to complete within that. We’re a great defensive team and need to keep fine-tuning our offense. Ultimately my goal is always to help these girls become better women.”

Wade has been in the Lady Cats softball program for seven years under coach Bryant and is not only familiar with the players and system, but also understands the expectations and wants to continue to see the program grow.

“Everything coach Bryant and I have done in the past has been great so I just hope to step in and fill those shoes and continue to build upon the great program that we’ve worked so hard at,” said Wade

The Lady Cats are filled with talent from top to bottom, but Wade and the team are really looking toward the seniors to lead the team and make the plays to help the team win.

“Kristin Bennett, one of our outfielders, and our infielders Annalisa Nix and Destiny Woodard are going to play a big role as far as being leaders because they have been with us four years and know what the expectations are,” said Wade. “They’ve experienced playoff games and have a desire to win.”

The biggest strength of this Lady Cats team is on the defensive side of the ball, as they are led by pitcher Brenna Conley and catcher Haylee Nix who have been in the program for three years and are developing chemistry both on and off the field.

“In the circle Brenna Conley does a fantastic job,” said Wade. “She can pitch really well and has good stuff and continues to develop. Haylee behind the plate also does an outstanding job and these girls do a great job of teaching the younger ones how we do things in this program.”

Wade put an emphasis on making routine plays in the field and not committing errors is ultimately what will be the key to winning games.

Off the field, Wade and the staff ultimately want to prepare their players to become young women and help lead them into the next stages of their life, regardless if they continue their softball career.

“Two of the biggest things I want the girls to take away from this are learning responsibility and being accountable,” said Wade. “The expectations we put on them come with a lot of responsibility and I just know that in the next stage of their lives they’re going to be responsible and know that every action has a reaction.”

The Lady Cats open their season on August 11 at home against Pelham at 5:30 p.m.