Monday, March 13, 2006

College Board To Meet At SVHEC

The State Board for Community Colleges will be at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center in Halifax County this week to conduct its regular business meeting.
Committees for the meeting will meet on Wednesday and the full Board will convene Thursday.
This is the first time the state Board has met in Halifax County, according to SVHEC Executive Director W.W. “Ted” Bennett.
Bennett said yesterday that he hopes the visit will help the Board understand that Halifax County has a plan for the future.
“They’ll get to see us and the community and will find that despite the economic hits we’ve taken in the past, we have hope for the future and assets in place for growth,” he said. “We still have some fairly significant vitality and I look forward to demonstrating that fact to the state Board.”
Board Chairman Chris Lumsden agreed.
“From my perspective, it is important for people from other parts of the state to see how progressive folks in Southside are, especially here in South Boston,” he said. “Sometimes we hear the negative, (but) in my position meeting people throughout the state you really hear some good things about our community and in many cases we have done it with our own funds and own aggressive style.
“A lot of folks don’t get exposure,” Lumsden added. “So this is a way to get people here to Southside, stay at Berry Hill and see Southside.”
Lumsden said a reception will be held for the Board at The Prizery with invitations being sent to members of the Halifax Educational Foundation and the Board of Directors of SVHEC.
In addition to the regular agenda items, Bennett will offer a special presentation on the role of the Center in Halifax County.
“I plan on giving them a bit of the history of the Center and a preview of where we are headed,” he said.
During the meeting, the Board will consider the approval of a new associate’s degree in applied science in business technology for Danville Community College.
The Board will also consider a proposed revision to the policy on intramural programs and club sports, as well as receive updates on textbook cost reduction plans.
The meeting will also feature the approval of tuition and fee rates for the 2006-2007 fiscal year.

 

School Board To Address School Bids, Budget Tonight

Two issues – a review of the bids to construct two new elementary schools in the county and a public hearing on next year’s school budget - are expected to dominate tonight’s meeting of the Halifax County School Board.
The meeting is expected to get under way at 7 p.m. in the public meeting room of the Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.
Contacted yesterday, Assistant Superintendent Larry Clark said that because the three budget plans being considered in Richmond don’t vary widely, he believes a public hearing on next year’s budget will go forward.
The Halifax County School System’s proposed 2006-07 budget is over $4.5 million larger than this year’s version largely because of rising costs, Chief Financial Officer Bill Covington told trustees during an earlier work session.
The new budget calls for teacher salaries to be increased four percent, a Virginia Retirement Rate (VRR) increase, mandated by the state, that will cost $1,225,954, a $125,000 increase in duel enrollment class costs, a $50,000 increase for instruction supplies, a $75,000 textbook cost increase and a 10 percent insurance premium rate increase costing $282,289, Covington said.
Also, fuel and physical therapy costs are skyrocketing, he said.
In the new budget there is a $170,000 vehicle fuel cost increase, a $79,000 heating fuel increase and a $150,000 increase in funding for occupational and physical therapy costs.
Luckily, there is also a significant increase in state funding to help cover many of the higher costs.
State funds are increasing by 8.99 percent, Covington said, and there is also a $400,000 increase in federal special education funding and a duel enrollment revenue increase of $150,000.
This year’s proposed budget is $854,177 higher than last year’s in local funding, according to Covington.
In considering the elementary school projects, Superintendent Paul Stapleton is expected to inform the Board that Blair Construction of Gretna submitted the low bid for the South Boston elementary school project at $14,543,000 and J.E. Burton Construction of South Boston had the low bid for the new Cluster Springs school at $14,529,489.
The proposed budget for the two construction projects was $28,825,440, according to Stapleton.
The low base bids combined total is $29,072,489, with $80,000 in deducts, leaving the overall project only $167,049 over the original projected budget.
The bids were opened by school officials last week and must be addressed by the Board before they can be accepted.
Under new business, the Board is expected to address the realignment of the graduation calendar.
In other business, the Board is expected to recognize the state participants in indoor track and swimming.
Following the open portion of the meeting, the Board is expected to convene in closed session to address student discipline and property.

 

Flamecrusher Pays Off $40K IDA Debt

Eades: ‘Now Flamecrusher Is A Private Business Operating In Halifax County’

Halifax County Industrial Development Authority Executive Director Mike Eades confirmed yesterday that Flamecrusher, USA owner Grant Ellwood has paid off a $40,000 debt that resulted in two lawsuits filed against him earlier this year.
“We have received checks in the amount due,” he said.
Eades said that late last week Ellwood delivered two checks to the IDA offices.
“There were two checks, one smaller and the other larger and the larger one was drawn on a local bank,” he said.
“Now Flamecrusher is a private business operating in Halifax County,” he added.
Eades said he wishes Flamecrusher success in the business.
“We will be happy to work with them in any way we can to help them move forward,” he said. “We look forward to him (Ellwood) getting the company up and running.”
The IDA had been pursuing legal action to recoup a $40,000 loan to the business that was awarded on the condition that owner Grant Ellwood provide supporting documentation to the Board.
Saying the information requested was proprietary, Ellwood declined to provide the information, resulting in the IDA filing suits against him and the company.
“I don’t feel comfortable giving sensitive information to them knowing it could be published in the paper,” Ellwood said shortly after being declared in default on the loan in December. “I don’t think it’s fair that the particulars be given to the IDA where it’s in the public domain. I thought I could keep some records confidential because it (the information) could be useful to my competitors. That’s the main reason I want to pay the note early and go back to being a private business.”
“The suits are now settled,” Eades said yesterday. “Halifax County taxpayers no longer have any obligation with Flamecrusher through the IDA.”
Ellwood originally secured the $40,000 loan on February 9, 2004, with the stipulation that the first year’s payments be interest-only.
On April 21, 2005, the IDA Board approved a one-year extension of the interest-only clause.
Ellwood, who was $549 behind on interest-only payments on November 30 of last year, subsequently caught up his delinquency with the Authority after returning from an overseas trip.

 

Obituaries

Minnie Hazelwood Powell
Mrs. Minnie Hazelwood Powell of Allen Trail in Scottsburg died Saturday, March 11 at the Berry Hill Nursing Home.
She was born in Halifax County on March 6, 1926 and was 80 years old. Mrs. Powell was the daughter of the late John Anderson Hazelwood and the late Dora Mae Hazelwood and was married to the late Thomas Henry Powell. She was a member of the Church of God of Prophecy.
Mrs. Hazelwood is survived by four daughters, Bernice Elaine Throckmorton and husband James of South Boston, Phyllis Carolyn Martin and husband James of Scottsburg, Edith Faye Cole and husband Edward of South Boston and Cynthia “Cindy” Keeton and husband Wayne of Oxford, N.C.; four sons, Gerald Wayne Powell Sr. and special friend Elsie Hughes, Michael C. Powell and wife Mollie of Clover, Wesley N. Powell of South Boston and W.T. Powell and wife Dee of Scottsburg; three sisters, Virginia Irby of Scottsburg, Virla Mills of South Boston and Sally Powell of Roxboro; two brothers, Harvey Hazelwood of Lynch Station and John Richard Hazelwood of Halifax; 14 grandchildren, six step-grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Tammy Darnell Throckmorton; two sons, Andy and Donnie Ray Powell and one brother, Joseph Hazelwood.
Funeral services for Mrs. Minnie Hazelwood Powell will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 14,with services at the Clover Church of God of Prophecy. The Revs. Steve Byrd, Courtney Coffer and Jack Stewart will officiate.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. today at Powell Funeral Home and other times at the home of James and Carolyn Martin, 2034 Allen Trail, Scottsburg.
Eleanor Warfield Van Train
Eleanor Warfield ‘Choo Choo’ Van Train, 93, of Houston, Texas died February 18, 2006, at Regency Village in Webster, Texas.
A memorial service was held March 2, at 4:30 p.m. at Webster Presbyterian Church officiated by Rev. Helen P. DeLeon.
She was a lifelong, devoted member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy; Halifax Chapter (South Boston), Buffalo Bayou Chapter & and Oran M. Roberts Chapter #440.
Born in 1913, Mrs. Van Train was a direct descendent of historical figures including signers of the Magna Carta, early Jamestown settlers, and the founder of South Boston, Virginia. Her maternal grandparents were John David Terry of Halifax County, and Drucilla Thomas Jeffress of Charlotte County. She was the daughter of Joseph Benjamin Dickerson of Halifax County, and Ada Jeffress Terry of Charlotte County. She was preceded in death by her sister, Carrie Louise Dickerson of South Boston, and her brother, Joseph Benjamin Dickerson of San Francisco, Calif. Survivors include her sister, Florence Watkins Dickerson Graham of Newport News.
Carroll Otis Redd
A private funeral will be held in Henry County for Mr. Carroll Otis Redd of Rose Hill Drive in South Boston.
Mr. Redd died Saturday, March 11, at the Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County.
He was born in Pittsylvania County on July 10, 1940, the son of the late Matthew Thomas Redd and the late Mattie Lee Davis Redd and was 65.
Mr. Redd was a retired employee of Dan River Mills, where he worked for more than 20 years.
He is survived by one daughter, Dorothy Mae Odell, and one brother, Monroe Redd, both of Eden, N.C.
Grace Perkins Martin
Mrs. Grace Perkins Martin of Crystal Hill died Friday, March 10.
She was 84.
A Halifax County native, Mrs. Martin was born October 24, 1921, a daughter of the late Walter Terry Perkins and Daisy Whitt Perkins and was married to the late Aubrey Lee Martin.
She was a member of the Crystal Hill Southern Baptist Church.
Mrs. Martin is survived by one daughter, Dora Martin Hill and husband Freddie Lewis Hill of Chatham; one sister, Rachel P. Moisoff of Richmond; three brothers, Walter Travis Perkins of Wallace, N.C.; Merritt Lacy Perkins of Richmond and Neal Vernon Perkins of Nathalie; two granddaughters, Victoria Haley Owen of Scottsburg and Cynthia Haley Spainhour of South Boston; one great-granddaughter, Makayla Anne Montgomery of Brookneal.
She was preceded in death by one sister, Brenda Perkins Kell.
The family will receive friends Tuesday night, March 14, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Daniel Wayne Good
Mr. Daniel Wayne Good of Grandin, Mo., died Thursday, March 9, when his vehicle was swept off the road due to flash flooding.
He was born in South Boston on February 9, 1949 and was 59.
Mr. Good was the son of Ira Good and Beulah Greider Good and was married to Susan Gingerich Good. He was a bishop in the Grandin Mennonite Church and was active in the ministry.
He is survived by his wife; three sons, Joseph David Good and wife Margaret of Grandin, Mo., Timothy Daniel Good and wife Pearl of East Earl, Pa., and Mark Ira Good of Grandin, Mo.; three daughters, Faith Elaine Martin and husband Anthony of Grandin, Mo, Dorcas Ann Good of Grandin and Miriam Rose Strite and husband Roland of Doniphan, Mo.; 10 grandchildren; his parents; three brothers, David Good and Nathan Good, both of South Boston and Kenneth Good of Broadway, Va., and two sisters, Bonnie Moore and Rosanna Slabach, both of South Boston.
Funeral services for Mr. Good will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church in Doniphan, Mo. Burial will follow in the Grandin Mennonite Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. in the Grandin Mennonite Church.
Catherine Ford Ross
Mrs. Catherine Ford Ross, of Beard Street in South Boston died on Friday, March 10 at Halifax Regional Hospital. She was 93.
Mrs. Ross was born in South Boston on October 22, 1912, the daughter of the late Warren Ford and the late Cora Boyd Ford. She was married to the late Earl Ross and was a member of the Mizpah Presbyterian Church.
She is survived by four daughters, Barbara R. Hanna of Hollywood, Fl., Jean R. Hamilton of Atlantic City, N.J., Catherine Baker of Forestville, Md., and Dinnetta R. Betts of Georgia; three sons, Earl Ross Jr., of Capitol Heights , Md., Billy Ross of South Boston and Buster Ross of Danville; 24 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, four sons-in-law; four daughters-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Mrs. Ross was preceded in death by two sons; James and Walter Ross.
Funeral services for Mrs. Ross will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Mizpah Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Michael Ferrell officiating. Burial will follow in the Rose Garden Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Ross, 1044 Hunter’s Lane in South Boston.
Edward Bailey “Sam” Ingram
Graveside services for Edward Bailey “Sam” Ingram were held yesterday, March 12 at Asbury United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Bill LaWall officiating.
Mr. Ingram of Halifax Road, Halifax, died Friday at Halifax Regional Hospital and was 73 years of age at the time of his death.
He was born in Halifax County on May 2, 1932, and was the son of the late Emmett Cabel Ingram Sr. and Sally Terry Ingram.
Mr. Ingram was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church and an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict.
Edward Bailey “Sam” Ingram is survived by four sisters: Betty I. Wilkerson and husband Walter of Newport News, Mary I. Newton and husband Ernest of Richmond, Peggy I. Norman and husband Bruce and Florine I. Neathery, all of South Boston; a devoted friend, Emma Redd of Virgilina; and nine nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Eugene Terry Ingram and Emmett Cabel Ingram Jr.
Gertrude Miller Giles Keyes
Mrs. Gertrude Miller Giles Keyes, of Noblin Avenue in South Boston, died Friday, March 10, at Lynchburg General Hospital. She was 78.
Mrs. Keyes was born in Norfolk on July 17, 1927, the daughter of the late Frank Miller and Bessie Simon Miller. She was first married to the late John B. Giles and later to William Keyes. She was a member of the Crystal Hill Baptist Church.
Mrs. Keyes is survived by two daughters, Pearl Emma Jean Giles and Emily Christine Giles, both of Norfolk; two sons, William B. Giles and Thomas Giles, both of Norfolk; eight grandchildren; devoted friends W.D. and Gertrude McLean and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Keyes will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 14 at the Crystal Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Louis Leigh officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Lonnie Lee Link
Funeral services for Mr. Lonnie Lee Link will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 14, with services at the Alton Baptist Church.
The Revs. Dennis Ball and Leon Barden will officiate. Burial will follow in the Alton Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Link died Saturday at his home.
Mr. Link was born in Halifax County on August 5, 1909, the son of the late William F. and Sarah Reaves Link. He was a tobacco farmer, was employed by Banner Warehouse and was a member of the Alton Baptist Church.
Mr. Link is survived by his wife, Hazel Shotwell Link; one son, Harold Wayne Link of Richmond; five daughters, Hilda Link Barton of Powhatan, Rachel Link Elliott of Alton, Lana Link Jackson of Alton, Vera Link Chace of Norfolk and Vonnie Link Reaves of Alton; nine grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; three nephews and three nieces.
He was preceded in death by two brothers; Forrest and Herman Link; four sisters, Grace Oliver, Helen Buckner, Ethelene Warren and Exie Shotwell and two nephews.
Myrtle Powell Green Eades
Funeral services for Myrtle Powell Green Eades were held yesterday, March 12, at Powell Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Bob Woodfin officiating.
Burial followed in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Mrs. Eades of Riley Avenue in South Boston, died Thursday, March 9.
She was born in Halifax County on August 8, 1920 and was 85 years of age at the time of her death.
She was the daughter of the late Willie Louis Powell and Elizabeth Harris Powell and was married to the late Alfred Coleman “Dick” Green Jr.
Mrs. Eades was a member of Glenwood United Methodist Church.
Myrtle Powell Green Eades is survived by one son, Kenneth Lloyd Green and wife Pam of Locust Hill; one daughter, Susan Green Satterfield and husband Daniel of Midlothian; three grandchildren, Kimberly Green Bratton of Apex, North Carolina, and Lisa Satterfield and Kevin Reed Satterfield, both of Midlothian; four great-grandchildren; and companion Lee Roy Clark of Halifax County.
For memorials, please consider Glenwood United Methodist Church.

 

Jeffress Lays Aside Presence Of Scouts

HCHS Hurler Jeremy Jeffress Has Learned To Handle The Pressure As Pro, College Baseball Scouts Check Out His Arm

Two men and a woman stood behind the backstop at home plate at the Halifax County High School baseball field Thursday night, each holding a radar gun.
Behind them, a small group of four or five other individuals sat in the front row of the bleachers, some armed with radar guns and all armed with small notebooks.
Professional baseball scouts representing the Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves were among those in town Thursday evening for Halifax County High School’s season-opening scrimmage game against Heritage.
All of them were here for one purpose - to see Comets senior hurler Jeremy Jeffress.
Jeffress has been on radar screen of major league baseball teams for the better part of two seasons.
College and pro baseball scouts took a close look at Jeffress last summer in a handful of showcase games for high school and prep baseball standouts.
Jeffress had good outings in those games and was ranked among the top 10 during the 2005 Perfect Game National Showcase. He also played in the 2005 Aflac All-American Baseball Classic, an all all-star game that featured the nation’s top 38 rising high school and prep seniors.
Even more attention is focused on Jeffress this season. So much so that it is expected that various numbers of scouts will be among the crowd at many games in which Jeffress is pitching.
Being under the scrutiny of pro scouts can be a real pressure-cooker for some young athletes. Jeffress, however, says the presence of the scouts does not bother him.
“It really doesn’t effect me,” said Jeffress.
“ I just play baseball. I play the game I love and do what I’ve got to do. I don’t pay attention to them (the scouts). To me, they’re nothing but fans.”
The Comets senior said the scouts made him nervous at first. However, because he has played in front of scouts on a number of previous occasions, Jeffress says it’s no longer a distraction.
“The first game I saw a whole lot of scouts there I was nervous,” Jeffress explained.
“ Everybody is. But as it goes on, you get used to it. I see they’re there. I know the people that have visited me and spoken to me from time to time at the showcases. They’re just there.”
Halifax County High School head coach Kelvin Davis said Jeffress has not allowed the presence of the scouts distract him from the task at hand.
“He’s a sound-minded kid,” Davis said of Jeffress.
“ He’s been in that light before. He has been in different showcase games where scouts were involved and played in that Aflac game. They (scouts) have been following him closely.”
Davis says Jeffress is a very focused player and that he has no worry about Jeffress getting the job done on the mound.
“As far a distraction to Jeremy, when he gets out there he’ll be focused,” Davis said.
“ When he gets to the mound, he’s a totally different person. He’s totally focused. He’s not concerned about who is coming in, who is looking at him, radar guns being up and all of that. He knows the mental aspects of pitching. He’s a pitcher and he knows how to stay focused pitch after pitch. When he gets out there between those lines, he knows I’m expecting him and the whole team to stay mentally focused so that they will know how to respond to different situations.”
Davis has been receiving a steady stream of inquiries about his pitcher for quite awhile. The calls and e-mails from pro and college scouts have been coming almost daily. In fact, it is almost a daily routine for Davis to carve out a portion of his day to return phone calls and messages and answer e-mails and letters.
“It’s been an interesting year because I’ve never experienced the amount of calls and e-mails that I’m getting,” Davis pointed out.
“It’s pretty steady and we knew it was going to be like this.”
The presence of pro baseball scouts can not only sometimes ratchet up the pressure on the player or players who are being scouted, it can also raise the pressure on other team members.
Jeffress said he is trying to tell his teammates the positive aspects the presence of the scouts can have on them.
“Before the game started they were saying a lot of people were here,” Jeffress said.
“ I told them they were not only here to see me. I told them if we have somebody else that is good that they see and think they can pick up and use them, they will. I told them to play as hard as they can and work at your best.”
Davis said he is also trying to turn the presence of the scouts into a positive thing for his Comets team.
“It’s a good thing for Jeremy, but, it’s not only good for Jeremy, it’s good for our ballclub,” Davis noted.
“I told them Thursday night they’re coming to see Jeremy but you can put on a show for them too. People are always asking me as far as the other players I have the team that could possibly be a good prospect. I think it’s good that Halifax County is getting recognized like we are.”
Davis pointed out he will continue to talk to his players about the importance of staying focused despite the presence of the scouts.
“We’ve just had this one game on Thursday where we had six or seven scouts here,” Davis said.
“The guys are real excited about it. I can imagine how they feel because I’ve played the game when scouts were there. It’s going to be a little distracting but I told them we’re just going to have to get used to it. They understood and they responded well.
“As a coach, I have to make sure I’m grounded and make sure my ballclub is grounded,” added Davis.
“I continue to talk to the guys about the mental part of the ballgame. The presence of the scouts is a distraction that shouldn’t be a distraction. The scouts are here to do a job and we’ve got a job to do on the field.”

Comets Split Pre-Season Scrimmage Games

Varsity Baseball Team Downed Heritage, Fell to Brookville

It was a mixed bag for the Halifax County High School varsity baseball as it split its pair of pre-season scrimmage games.
The Comets opened with an impressive 4-1 win over Heritage here Thursday night but had a disappointing outing in a 4-1 Saturday on the road against Brookville.
In Thursday’s game, the Comets got off to a good start behind the pitching of senior Jeremy Jeffress. Jeffress fanned six batters and did not allow a run in his three innings of work.
Jacob Vest hurled three innings and Chris Fisher got in an inning of work.
“I was very pleased,” Comets coach Kelvin Davis said of Thursday night’s game.
“We did some things well and we could see some things we need to work on. That’s why you play these scrimmage games.”
Defensively, the Comets played well and did not give up an error.
“I was very pleased with the defense,” Davis said.
“I thought we played well. We made some big plays. Our outfield has good speed.”
As far as hitting was concerned, the Comets did a good job with many players, including players coming off of the bench in reserve roles, consistently putting the ball into play.
“I thought we put the ball in play very well,” Davis noted.
“We got some hits when we needed them and we had a bunt situation that we executed well.”
The Comets got two hits from leadoff batter Willie Stephens and got hits from at least seven other players including Bobby Owens, Justin Bagbey, David Lacks, Kyle Long, Scott Gieselman, Billy Joe Garrett and Jacob Swillie.
Davis said the good thing about the win was that it came against a quality team.
“We played a good team,” Davis pointed out.
“Heritage is in the Seminole District and they have some excellent teams in that district. That’s what we want. We want to play these good teams like Heritage and Brookville.
Saturday’s game against Brookville was a different story from Thursday’s contest against Heritage.
“We didn’t pitch very well, we didn’t hit the ball well and we didn’t play very good defense,” said Comets assistant coach Kenneth Day.
“We weren’t as patient at the plate as we needed to be.”
The Comets were led in hitting by Stephens and Bagbey. They had two hits each.
Brookville scored one run in each of the first three innings to take a 3-0 lead. Halifax County scored its lone run in the top of the fifth inning when Scott Gieselman singled to drive in Stephens who had reached base earlier on a double.
The Comets used four pitchers in the contest with Owens starting and going the first three innings. Kyle Long pictched two innings, Chris Fisher pitched one and a third innings and Lacks pitched the final two thirds of an inning.
The Comets will be in action twice this week with road games on Tuesday and Friday.

Second Scrimmage Successful For HCHS Varsity Softball

The Halifax County varsity girls softball team had its second and final preseason scrimmage Friday at Randolph Henry, and the results were nearly a carbon copy of Wednesday’s first one.
Halifax had a good day against a tough Dan River club here Wednesday, and followed that up with another good effort Friday against a solid Randolph Henry program.
That was the assessment of Comets coach Melanie Saunders, adding the Comets were again good at the plate and in the field.
“We did well as a team, the pitchers did well and he hit the ball well,” said Saunders. “Beth [Throckmorton], Jessie [Lloyd] and Moo [Morris] all pitched, we worked our catchers and everybody got some action,
“Our fielding was decent, also.”
Saunders added that she has been pleased with the Comets’ progress with a tough season-opener today at Person High on-tap, but added there was some fine-tuning left to do.
“I’m happy with where we’re at right now, but the hitters need to learn to hit the ball where it’s pitched instead of trying to pull everything,” she noted.
“The coaches are trying to teach them to be aggressive at the plate, whether it’s the first pitch or the fourth pitch.
“But, overall, I’ve been pleased.”