The Milan Lady Wildcats continue to aim to make a surge up the standings in the Grand River Conference softball race, and this year, the program is expecting, if the season can be played, to make strong moves toward that goal. Signs are plentiful that with the return of junior right-handed ace Cady Pauley, and the insertion of a talented group of freshmen into the mix, the level of competitiveness in Milan is on a quickly moving uphill trajectory.
To open the discussion that Sports Director Tom Johnson had with coach Nate Dodson this week, there was a hopefulness that softball season, and the entire fall sports season as a whole, can be played and completed. It would be a boost for a group of young ladies ready to play ball:
With two years of varsity starting experience, Pauley will be in the circle for her junior year for Dodson, with her role on the team involving more leadership as she becomes an upperclassman:
Last season, consistent defense behind Pauley became one of the biggest trouble spots to find that success. Whether it helps from the basic process with depth of numbers or with the more obvious reasoning of increasing the program’s talent base, a highly-anticipated group of 9th graders is expected to be on the varsity field immediately this fall:
Milan’s schedule early has a different look for 2020, with a pair of non-conference tests heading into conference play. In the season opener, the Lady ‘Cats travel to Brashear to battle the Lady Tigers on Saturday, August 29th, with a trip to North Harrison on Monday, August 31st for a game against the Shamrocks, tentatively scheduled for broadcast on KTTN FM 92.3. The GRC opener at home against Gallatin will be Tuesday, September 1st.
Milan will travel to Princeton on Thursday, September 10th and Trenton on Tuesday, September 22nd, while hosting the Maysville Lady Wolverines on Tuesday, September 15th. The Lady ‘Cats will also be in the Nan Carter Tournament at Trenton High School on Saturday, September 26th, just two days after a game at Putnam County. The team will finish the regular season on October 10th at the George Scurlock Memorial Tournament in Princeton.
