Softball starts year Tuesday
BY JASON THOMPSON Gulf Breeze News jason@gulfbreezenews.com

Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News Claire Koontz is one of seven returning varsity players.

The Gulf Breeze Lady Dolphin softball team will open the 2008 season Tuesday against West Florida, the team that ended GBHS' season last year in the first round of the playoffs. The JV game is at 4, followed by the varsity at 6.

"I'm excited about it. We have the kids to make a great program," said first year GBHS coach Bobby Young, the team's fourth in as many years. "They've done a good job of coming together and leaving drama outside the fence."

Gulf Breeze, who went 10-12 last season, have seven returning varsity players, all of which have been starters. Of those seven, only four - juniors Rosie Atkinson, Claire Koontz, Natalie Newell and sophomore Kori Ewens, have been to the three weeks of practice.

Two others - junior Natalie Alverson and sophomore Deannette Zuniga - could play Tuesday after completing the basketball season and Lyndsey Wright, a junior, will join the squad after soccer season.

The following is a list of all three teams, but Young cautions that some of these players can

move up or down at any time:

Varsity and JV Natalie Alverson OF**, Rosie Atkinson 3B, Ginny Coady SS/2B/OF, Kori Ewens C/OF, Claire Koontz 1B, Charlsie Langley 1B, Catherine Lewis OF, Mallory Mead P**, Allison Milam P/OF, Natalie Newell C/OF, Anna Schundelmier 3B/OF, Lyndsey Wright 2B **, Deannette Zuniga P/SS **, Alexis Castanon 2B/SS **, Samantha Diaz 3B/OF, Liz Femeyer OF, Kelsey Hebert 2B/OF, Michel Joffrion OF, Kasey Landfair 1B/3B, Anndrea Marsh C/3B/OF **, Mallory Mead P, Maggie Mitchell 1B/3B/OF, Sarah Thibodeaux OF, Rachel Viglione 2B/3B/OF, Tess Waggoner 2B/OF **, Jessica Watson SS/2B

**These players may have to interchange with each team until everyone is done with other sports.

Ninth Grade Brianna Carree, Adrian Culpepper, Jamie Droogsma, Alexis Halsted, Kellie Krueger, Katherine Landry, Coral Molina, Moe Bass, Lindsey Hawthorne, Brianna Paulus, Ashley Scott, Caroline Waghalter (All 9th graders are subject to be pulled up to play JV and Varsity. When they are pulled up they will play)