Cape softball has a new coach and a winning attitude
The Cape softball team will have a new look in the coaching box for the 2017 season to go along a powerful squad returning to the diamond.
Shannon Timmons makes her Vikings debut at the helm after an 11-year hiatus from the head coaching position. She previously coached at Smyrna High School. She teaches drivers education at Cape.
“I’ve been a pitching coach for the last 11 years and have worked with the travel ball team First State Force,” she said. “I have a pitcher at Polytech, and one is at Appoquinimink this year.”
Timmons welcomes longtime coach Chip Davis to her staff.
“I coached against Chip when he was coaching with Bill Cordrey,” Timmons said.
Cape physical education teacher Candy Brown also returns as an assistant. She was the junior varsity head coach in 2016.
“We have a strong core of seniors,” said Timmons. “And they have pretty much made it known that the DIAA Championship is in their sights. They would love to hang a banner before they leave Cape.”
Kristine Davis, Jessica Evans, Hannah Jones, Sara Lallier and Jordyn Virden will lend senior leadership for the underclass.
Timmons is also looking to some juniors and sophomores to fill the spots left by the 2016 graduation of outfielder Kira Vitella, catcher Sydney Ostroski and pitching ace Riley Shields.
“We also have a real strong group of freshmen,” said Timmons.
The Vikings will be looking for power hitter Jordyn Virden to continue to club the rock, as she went yard eight times in 2016.
“The long ball won’t be out of the question this season,” said the new coach. “But we can bunt, slap and play the small ball too.”
But Timmons believes they will also be aggressive on the base path.
“We’re going to be aggressive because that’s the only way you score runs,” she said. “We’re gonna challenge catchers and challenge the defense to make the play when they need to. It’s like the perfect storm. We have the long ball hitters, we have kids who can slap, we have some speed and all together it combines to make a good offensive unit.”
“I’m expecting some really good team wins,” said senior Hannah Jones. “We have a lot of power and we’ll produce some quality wins.”
“We are going to have the same intensity as last year,” said senior power hitter Jordyn Virden. “But we’re going to amp it up more and hopefully make it far into the playoffs.”
“We have our whole senior infield back this year,” said shortstop Sara Lallier. “I’m pretty excited because we are all together for our last year at Cape.”
“I’m hoping with all the experience we have from the last couple of years, we seniors will be able to show the needed leadership to get deep into the playoffs,” said senior second baseman Jessica Evans.
Cape will open the season on the road Thursday, March 23, at Laurel.
