The No. 10 Class 5A Dickson Lady Comets may have surprised a few opponents this season, but head coach Sami Hunter said their hard work is paying off.
“This season has been full of ups and downs but also a huge growth for this team. They have experienced a lot of defensive work that is crucial for the upcoming 2023 fastpitch season,” Hunter said.
In her first year at Dickson, Hunter has lifted the program into contender status. The continual development of the program is the focus for Hunter.
“I find that approach is player-driven and not team-driven. Each of these girls respond in different ways and have to be coached accordingly. I am also very new to the head coach realm so I am still finding what works and doesn’t, but I find that figuring out how each individual player ticks is the key to finding success with them,” Hunter said. “The thing I have enjoyed most is seeing the love these kids have and are developing for the game. Softball has always been a huge part of my life and it brings me joy to see these girls fall in love with this sport.”
Like many of the competitive teams in the class, Dickson will play fastpitch this fall.
“The advantage to playing both is reps. Slow pitch, we are way more defensive-focused which helps [us] excel in fast pitch due to the amount of reps slow pitch provides, especially for the younger girls,” Hunter said. “Slowpitch has also allowed us to get the young girls in positions they will be playing in fast pitch, allowing an adjustment period before fast pitch starts.”
The 2023 slow pitch team showed Hunter it can handle the pressure of a tough schedule.
“This group has impressed me by showing how tough they are as a whole. We were put in a lot of situations that we had to buckle down and play amazing defense or needing clutch hits and they executed in big moments,” Hunter said.
Hunter said the game is most fun when the players are excited.
“The game is most fun for me when I see the excitement on each of their faces after a big play or an outstanding hit. I love passion and excitement so when I see these girls do that and excel that is by far the best part,” Hunter said.
Support in the community for the softball team has continued to grow.
“The Dickson community has been a huge support system for this program and these girls. They love to watch them play because of the love that seeps through their play during a game, not only the community but our school from administration all way through supports this program and it is amazing to be in that environment,” Hunter said.
Dickson seniors are leaving a legacy for the underclassmen to follow. For coach Hunter, having them in her first season was a big reason for the team’s overall success.
“This group of seniors has really paved the way for the future of Dickson softball, and I want to thank them for that. Also, I want them to know how proud I am of the young women they are becoming. This group will do big things in their future endeavors, and I can’t wait to see what each of their futures hold,” said Hunter.
