Wounded War Eagles begin region title defense

GAINESVILLE - On paper it looked great for the Chestatee High girls softball team coming into the 2003 season.

The Lady War Eagles returned all but two players from last year's 24-8 Region 7-AAA championship team, including two All-State selections, and were also a year more experienced.

Chestatee was looking forward to opening defense of its title today at home against Gainesville. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.

They were knocked out of a chance to go to state last year by West Hall and have been waiting a year to avenge that loss.

And things looked great: until this past weekend, that is.

Reality set in at the Brunswick Invitational Tournament when three key starters, including All-State selection junior second baseman Mallory McCord, were either injured or sick.

McCord caught mono and outfielders Amber Lee and Chelsey Hatfield both suffered serious knee injuries and are likely out for the rest of the season.

"It was a rough weekend," coach Devon Thomas said. Thomas doubles as the coach of Brenau University women's softball team as well. "It's not quite the way we wanted to start region play."

The Lady War Eagles (7-5) did not back down in Brunswick, however, winning three of five games with its younger players.

"We've had to call on the younger players and they responded pretty well. They're having to get their feet wet pretty quickly but these girls have the talent to ouvercome it," Thomas said.

Sophmore Whitney Owens will fill in for McCord at second while sophomore Hannah Cooper will take over for Hatfield. Thomas said he has not made a decision on who would take Lee's left field slot.

At 7-5, Chestatee is three games off their pace from last year, but Thomas said that was a little by design.

"We're playing a lot tougher non-region competition than last year," he said.

Three of their five losses have come to Class AAAAA teams. And they still have Brooke Puckett, a first-team All-State pick last year at shortstop, to lead the pitching corps.

"Those were some key people to lose, but I still believe we have a good enough team to win the region and get to state," Thomas said.

"But right now is a good time to catch us. We're a little down, but by the end of the season, these girls will be right in the middle of it."