In her second season as the Enterprise High School softball coach Kate (Benton) Stump is challenging her team to get better every day in an effort to lead to something greater.
The Lady Cats haven’t been to the Class 7A State Tournament since 2015 and to reach that goal, Stump said it’s going to take “winning the day” every day until May.
“We talk about it daily, we want to be better today than we were yesterday,” Stump said. “The end goal is the state championship, so making it to the state tournament is big.
“I can’t remember the last time Enterprise made it to the state tournament, so that is the ultimate goal. The little goals, like winning the day, getting better every day we step on the field and communicating well is what will get us to the state tournament. We just have to get better every day. It’s not about where we start, it’s about where we finish and May is the goal. We have to get better every day and we really want to be our best when it’s playoff time.”
Joining Stump on the EHS coaching staff this season is her husband – Tyler – along with longtime EHS assistant Justin Jones and former South Alabama softball standout Dayla Gulledge. Gulledge was a star at Rehobeth High School before playing at South Alabama.
Stump said that she and her staff have been challenging their Lady Cats early in practices.
“Practices have been going really good. We’re challenging the girls in practice,” Stump said. “We have our good days and bad days but a lot more good than bad. They are coming on strong. I’m ready (for the start of the season) and I think they’re ready, too. We’re excited for sure.”
Stump said she expects big things out of senior Kyleigh Coin and sophomore Taylor Danford. Coin recently signed a scholarship offer from Shelton State.
“We’re looking to (Coin) to lead us offensively and she pitches, as well,” Stump said. “Another one we have been leaning on the past two years is Taylor Danford. She gets it done offensively and defensively. We expect a lot of those girls and a lot out of some freshmen, too.”
The Lady Cats start the season off Feb. 11 on the road against Dale County and then host Charles Henderson on Feb. 15.
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