Prep softball preview: Veteran Lady Bearcat squad looks for another deep playoff run

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It was a tough loss for the Cullman Lady Bearcats as they came up short to Southside, 6-2, in the semifinals of the loser’s bracket in the 2016 6A State Softball Tournament on May 20, 2016. This year they hope to bring home the state title.

CULLMAN – For the last two years, the Cullman Lady Bearcats softball team made a lot of noise during the regular season and the postseason, but they fell just short of their ultimate goal: a state championship, as they fell to Daphne in 2015, and to Southside last season, both times in the Elite 8. But with a deep team this season, this could be the year that Cullman finally wins it all, behind fifth-year head coach Stephanie Conner.

Her expectations this season were pretty much set in stone.

"Our expectations this year are to go back to state and win the championship." Conner said.

As much as she wants to see her team lift the state championship hardware, she wants to see her seniors go out with a title.

"We have five seniors on our team." Conner said. "We added a sixth. She transferred here. They want to go out with a state championship. They deserve it; they have started for almost the whole four years. They have helped the younger players have that winning attitude every day. We have so much depth on our team.

“This team holds a special place in my heart, especially the seniors. They were in eighth grade when I first came to Cullman. In a lot of ways, we all grew up together. I can only hope I have made as much of an impact on them as they have on me. They truly deserve to bring home a state championship this year. They've earned it.”

Cullman starts their season tonight, Monday, Feb. 20 on the road at Oxford. Their home opener is Thursday at 4:30 against Gardendale.

2017 CHS Softball, Varsity:

  • Tiffani Schwaiger
  • Olivia Schwaiger
  • McKensi Burks
  • Sierra Easterwood
  • Hannah Morton
  • Meredith McPherson
  • Gracie Cook
  • Kennedy Wren
  • Hannah McPherson
  • Sydney Holder
  • Keslynn Grimmett
  • Montana Burks
  • Bailey Swann

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