By Chris Cox

First year head coach Derick Hodges is still getting know his team. But he already knows that he has a squad that is capable of winning a lot of games. 

“We have a really good chance of being successful,” Hodges says. “We set a goal already to host a district tournament down here and not have to go somewhere else.”

Hollis has an enviable roster capable of reaching those goals. It’s a roster with a lot of experience but not a lot of seniors, meaning the majority of this roster could be together two to three years. 

The Lady Tigers are led by junior pitcher Sydney Shotts.

“Other coaches in the area say she’s good enough to keep us in a lot of games,” Hodges says. “She plays quite a bit of travel ball outside of school ball and is very competitive. Shotts looks to have a promising couple more years as a Hollis Lady Tiger.”

While Shotts will lead the Lady Tigers from the pitching circle, she’s not the only girl Hodges is expecting to contribute this year. 

“We have a senior in Marlie Robinson that has really stepped up this offseason,” Hodges says. “She’s taken on that senior spot where we do stretching and she’s the one in the middle leading the stretches. She’s really taken hold of the leadership aspect that I’ve been preaching.”

Along with Shotts in the circle and Robinson at first base, Hodges says he expects junior catcher Amerie Ross and junior second baseman Kalie Pendergraft to also be big contributors this season. 

So, what does Hodges expect from his Hollis Lady Tigers in his first season as head coach?

“My expectations are as high as you could imagine,” Hodges says. “You should always set your goals high and that is my expectation. Let’s go host a district tournament. Let’s go win a regional and let’s get into the state tournament. 

Hollis is set to get their season underway on August 9th against Snyder.