NTL SOFTBALL: FIRST-YEAR ATHENS COACH BELIEVES EXPERIENCED LADY WILDCATS UP FOR CHALLENGE IN 2019 (2019-03-28)
By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportATHENS - New Athens softball coach Mickey Farrell has been coaching in the Valley since 1984. He has coached football and baseball on both the varsity and JV staffs at Waverly, Athens and Sayre at one time or another.
However, this season presents two challenges he's never faced. It will be his first varsity head coaching job, and it will be the first time he's coached girls.
"People kept asking me why I was going to coach girls?" said Farrell. "So, the uncertainty of never having done it before kind of concerned me a bit, but now after just a few weeks I'm wondering what took me so long.
"I'm having a blast with these kids," he noted. "It is one of the hardest working group of kids I've ever been around, and they take it very seriously.
"The girls asked me about coaching my first varsity game, and I said I was a bit nervous," added Farrell. "They said, "˜coach, we got this;' that me feel a lot better. They are just a great group of kids."
There are challenges, though, says Farrell.
"The biggest challenge has just been getting to know them," he said. "Having umpired for the last three years I did know them a little bit, but they didn't know me. They didn't remember me as an umpire.
"The challenge really hasn't been the girls," added Farrell. "The challenge has been the paperwork, and the unknowns for me as a first-year varsity coach; things like that."
One thing Farrell does know is that he inherited an experienced group of players.
"We have all nine starters back," he said. "The experience is going to be a big plus.
"(Former coach) Jim Wood did a great job with these kids," said Farrell. "(Assistant coach) Jon Dipio and I have stepped in and just tweaked a few things. I'm very fortunate to have this opportunity."
Farrell lauds his team's work ethic.
"This group knows a lot already, but they want to know more," he said. "That's one of the biggest difference between coaching boys and girls. These girls want to learn more, and by this age the boys already think they know everything.
"We've thrown a lot at them," he added. "We schedule a two-hour practice, and we're done in an hour-and-a-half every night because they are so efficient in every thing they do. They do everything at full speed."
Farrell looks at his roster and sees a host of strengths, starting with his pitching staff - junior ace Megan Bennett, who is nursing an injured hand to start the season, freshman Caydence Macik, and senior Emma Adams.
"Pitching is definitely a strength for us. We have three quality pitchers.
"Bennett is out for the opener, so we're going to go with the freshman," said Farrell. "Caydence (Macik) is use to the big stage after playing varsity basketball. It's her opportunity to show us what she can do."
Sophomore Harley Sullivan will start at catcher, while sophomore Emma Repsher mans first base, seniors Leah Reid and Amelia (Mimi) Martin will comprise the double-play combination at second base and shortstop, respectively, and junior Haley Barry will play the "hot corner" at third base.
"Our infield is a big strength, too," said Farrell. "Haley Barry is a gold glover at third base, and Mimi (Martin) does a great job at short.
"Leah (Reid) can make the plays at second base, and nothing gets by Emma Repsher at first base, she makes the rest of the infield look good," added Farrell.
Adams, who has committed to play Division I softball at Albany next year, will play center field. She will be flanked in left field by sophomore Audrey Hatch, and in right field by senior Hayleigh Macik.
"Our best player is Emma (Adams), there's a reason she's going to play Division I," said Farrell. "She's our third coach."
Farrell will be looking for sophomore Megan Collins, junior Adrianna Carter, and freshman Macie Coyle to provide depth.
"My biggest concern right now is injuries - staying healthy," said Farrell. "We have two varsity players out, and two JV players, too.
"My other concern is how well we weather the storm of not having some key varsity starters for four to five games," he said, noting school-related activities will account for the majority of the absences. "Our depth is definitely going to be tested.
"I've always had the philosophy that I don't worry about who's not there, I worry about who is," added Farrell. "We have girls who can step in take their place."
First and foremost, Farrell is looking for effort from his team, and believes the results will fall in line.
"I just want the girls to play hard, and we'll see what happens. I don't put a lot of pressure on them to win," he said. "We'll look at any losses and see what we need to fix.
"I want to win the NTL," he noted. "If we win the NTL, I'm pretty certain we'll make Districts.
"By then, we should be full strength, and I don't think anyone is going to want to play us," added Farrell. ""We'll play anybody, and that's the mentality these kids have."
Athens opens the 2019 campaign today at Canton.
AROUND THE NTL: "Wellsboro is always good," said Farrell. "NP-Liberty and Wyalusing are both well-coached.
"Towanda is young with a first-year coach, and a freshman pitcher," noted Farrell. "And, Troy is very young."
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IN PHOTO: Athens senior Emma Adams.
