By Erik Harris
PINSON – First-year head softball coach Laurin Watts seems to have Pinson Valley going in the right direction.
In just her first year running the program, Watts led the Indians on a charge that ended with a Class 6A, Area 12 championship, which qualified the young roster for a berth in the North-Central Regionals in Tuscaloosa.
In two days of play at Sokol Park, Pinson Valley went 1-2 against the likes of Chelsea, Homewood and Oxford. Their 14-0 drubbing of Homewood marked the program’s first ever regional tournament victory.
Watts sees her team’s postseason run as a major learning experience that can be built on.
“Now my underclassmen have gotten a taste of postseason,” said Watts. “They know what it’s like, they know what to expect out of the environment when they come here, so hopefully we’ve got all the jitters out this year, and we’re ready to come back firing next year.”
The Indians finished Year 1 under Watts with an area record of 8-1 and an overall mark of 16-7, not including tournament games.
Much of her lineup will return to the diamond in 2016. Outfielder Kirbi Tuck and second baseman Jenna Trimm are the only departing seniors from this year’s list of starters. Right-hander Lauren Keplinger returns as the team’s ace pitcher.
According to the two seniors, 2015 was just different than the previous three years.
“This season has been way more fun,” said Trimm. “We’ve become more of a family and realized it’s our last year, so we really came together and it’s just been way better than any other year.”
Tuck credited the rookie head coach for changing the expectation for being a Pinson Valley softball player and challenging the group with goals to reach upon her arrival.
2015 was Watts’ first experience as a head coach at any school. She previously served as an assistant at Class 5A Mortimer Jordan.
“I’ve got five eighth graders coming up that were with us this weekend, so future looks bright,” said Watts.