[2/21/03]The consistency that Laquitta Smith was looking for in the Vicksburg High softball program is starting to show. A winning record and a trip to the playoffs are a littler further out on the horizon, however.

The Missy Gators only return four starters from last year’s team that finished 7-16 and missed the playoffs, and will try to break in a new pitching staff. That has Smith optimistic about the future, but also realistic about the present.

“Our first goal is to reach .500, and then our second goal is to reach the playoffs,” said Smith, who coached VHS’ slow-pitch team in the fall and is entering her first season as the school’s fast-pitch coach. “I’m optimistic, and I know the potential is there, but it’s too soon to say what’s going to happen.”

What looks likely to happen this season is some struggles for the Missy Gators.

On the mound, Lauren Johnson and Whitney Smith are the top two pitchers, but neither has varsity experience. Eighth-grader Holly Head rounds out the rotation.

Both have pitched in junior varsity games, and Johnson got some experience in the circle last year as an eighth-grader.

Whitney Smith, a junior transfer from Stone County and Laquitta Smith’s daughter, has good velocity but needs experience, coach Smith said.

“She’s got mound experience, just not as a varsity pitcher,” Laquitta Smith said.

Offensively, the Missy Gators have more question marks. The top three hitters from last season, Dana Daigre, Dayna Nugent and Wendy Womble, all graduated. Womble and Nugent signed with Jones Community College.

Stepping in to replace them are a group of raw hitters that may take some time to find their groove, Smith said.

“We don’t play a district game until that second week, so I’m going to be moving people around,” Smith said. “Hopefully our hitting will come around.”

Another change Smith has made since taking over the softball program is trying to instill a sense of team unity. The roster has been pared down, and Smith believes it will help the program in the long run.

“The attitudes have changed, and I believe we have a better playing environment … We’ve gotten rid of some problems,” Smith said. “We’ve really harped on team unity. I do see some potential out here.”