- May 5, 2024
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An FPC player throws a ball to first base in FPC's preseason win over the Sandcrabs. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Viviana Mackey drills a pitch during the Bulldogs' preseason win over Seabreeze. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bulldogs' Leah Scott hurls a pitch during the second inning of FPC's preseason game against Seabreeze. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bulldogs huddle around the circle during their preseason game against the Sandcrabs. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Leah Scott runs to first base in the Bulldogs' preseason game against Seabreeze. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bulldogs' Leah Scott hurls a pitch during the second inning of FPC's preseason game against Seabreeze. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bulldogs' Viviana Mackey crosses home plate in FPC's victory over Seabreeze. Photo by Ray Boone
Flagler Palm Coast softball’s Teagan Clayton has been on the team for the past four seasons. The Bulldogs have had a winning record since her freshman year. In 2019, the Bulldogs went 0-14 — despite winning their preseason games.
“It’s hard,” said Clayton, who is now a team captain in her senior season. “No one wants to come out like that. I feel like we’ve learned to always have each other’s backs and to always support each other.”
“We’ve come together more. I feel closer to the girls this year.”
SCARLETT SHIELDS, Bulldogs softball player
The 2020 season is head coach Meghan Bainbridge’s second season with the team. Her first year didn’t go as expected, she said, but she still learned a lot.
Most importantly: every girl, every athlete, is different.
“There were some issues last year, but I think we’ve learned from them,” she said. “Getting to know them, their families, the community better, I think I have a better idea of how to coach these athletes.”
Bainbridge wants her girls to play hard all the time. No lazy swings — even at practice.
“I don’t want to waste time,” she said. “We want to improve every game and have everybody stay positive. As long as we stay up, stay positive, support each other and be more of a family unit, we can pick each other up.”
She added: “I want to see them fight to win every game.”
In addition, one thing she wants to players to work on is their softball IQ — knowing what the correct play to make is based on the situation.
“I have quite a few ball players. It comes naturally to them,” Bainbridge said. “But we need to be aware of situations during the game.”
The Bulldogs open the season against Mainland at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at Mainland High School.
