While the start of the new school year is drawing ever-closer on the calendar, a new season of Indianola Academy fastpitch softball is already set to begin.
For next Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Tunica Academy, the Lady Colonels will begin the 2023 season; and will do so with a new head coach at the helm.
It will now be Watson Cook making the lineup throughout the Lady Colonels’ 2023 schedule, a lineup which includes 17 games and a pair of tournaments.
Additionally, the Lady Colonels’ new district home will be District 1-4A this fall and their challenging district competition includes the defending state champion, Marshall Academy of Holly Springs. Additional district foes include Kirk Academy of Grenada, Lee Academy of Clarksdale, and North Delta School of Batesville.
Following next Thursday’s season-opener, Coach Cook’s squad will then play host to the annual Indianola Academy Softball Tournament, a large event, which begins next Saturday, July 29 at Chism Park.
The Lady Colonels will begin their play at 9 a.m. that day in this nine-team tournament with Central Holmes Christian School of Lexington serving as their initial opponent.
The full schedule for this day-long tournament will be published in next week’s edition of The Enterprise-Tocsin.
Meanwhile, Coach Cook is not a stranger to IA athletics as he served as the assistant baseball coach from 2008 through the 2017 season.
He has since spent the last six years employed by Planters Bank & Trust prior to accepting the head coach position of IA’s softball and baseball programs.
A 2003 graduate of IA, Coach Cook subsequently earned a bachelor of business administration degree from Delta State University in Cleveland.
In addition to his coaching duties, Coach Cook is slated to teach computer science and business management at Indianola Academy.
When discussing his 2023 team and their effort to improve on the 14-14 record earned last season, Coach Cook noted “I think it starts with our three seniors: Meadow Smith (Pitcher), Caitlyn Smith (third base), and Katie Arrington (first base). All played big roles last year and their experience will the relied on. All three swing it well at the plate. Sophomores Julia Davis (catcher) and Presley Bradshaw (outfield) will have a chance to make a big impact for us offensively and defensively.”
Coach Cook defines his coaching philosophy as “Compete and play for each other. Offensively we want to put pressure on our opponents. Some frown at small ball these days but we’re going to move runners and apply pressure. Defensively, it starts with throwing strikes early in the count and just making plays when we have opportunities. With all that said, we’re going to play loose and enjoy the season.”
“Overall, we’re a young team but there is plenty of talent. It’s my job to get that out of them and get them to come together,” he continued.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity and am looking forward to the challenge and getting the season started,” said Coach Cook.
