She’s got game

Jason Rollinson
Sports

May 08, 2008 12:15 am

— Having a player who can play anywhere needed around the softball diamond is a invaluable asset.
Huntsville coach Nancy Hopper knows that for sure, as she has turned to junior Nena Gibson at five different positions in her three years as a Lady Hornet.
Gibson’s latest move took place earlier this season when sophomore catcher Tayler Gray sustained a hand injury. It opened up an opportunity to make her move from center field to behind the plate.
“I didn’t start catching until a couple of years ago, and then my freshman year, I had wanted to be a catcher,” Gibson said.
Hopper played her at first, third, left and center field and was encouraged at the fact that Gibson was willing to don the catcher’s gear.
“The unique thing about Nena is that she’s been with us three years and I can’t even remember all the places we’ve had her,” Hopper said. “She can go to any of the positions we’ve put her at and play them very well. I even contemplated putting her at shortstop the other night when Sara (Vaughn) got hurt but didn’t need to.”
After starting her softball career in the 8-and-under division of the Huntsville Girls Softball Association at the age of 6, Gibson continued in the league until 12, while spending time pitching in the circle.
“Every now and then, I miss playing center field,” Gibson said. “I’m used to playing every position. You miss positions sometimes, then you don’t.”
No one has spent more time with Gibson than sophomore staring pitcher Shelby Smith, who had nothing but positives to say about her teammate.
“There’s a bond between pitcher and catcher that no one else on the team experiences,” Smith said. “You always work together. I can always count on her being honest also. If she doesn’t like the way something’s working, then she’ll tell me. And it’s the other way around too.”
Very seldom do the two disagree and both enjoy a friendship that extends off the diamond.
“Most of the time, we’re on the same track,” Smith said. “Sometimes after we discuss it, it’s always better. Nena is also a big motivator. She tells me to stay strong and keep working hard and not let up when I struggle.”
Gibson has excelled not only behind the plate since taking over catching chores, but in the batter’s box as well.
She delivered a triple in game two of last week’s area-round playoff series with Houston Waltrip that scored Hayley Tatom and put Huntsville on top.
She also shined defensively by picking off a base runner at first and throwing another out trying to steal second.
Gibson is playing inspired after the untimely passing of her grandmother in August.
“I approach every at-bat as if it’s my last,” Gibson said. “I play for my grandma because she never got to watch me play. I look at it as now she can watch me play. I like to take every at-bat and game as if she’s able to watch me.”
Along with lone senior Chantel Spretz, Gibson and three other juniors lead the Lady Hornets into today’s clash with District 18-4A foe Brenham (30-2) in a winner-take-all Class 4A regional quarterfinal matchup at 7 p.m. at Bearkat Softball Complex.
The Lady Hornets (17-15) played best-of-three series in the first two playoff rounds and were thrown a changeup when they learned of the one-gamer.
“I’m excited whether it’s one game or a three-game series,” Gibson said. “I look at it as if our coaches believe in us that we can defeat them in one, then that’s all we need. It would be amazing to knock them out of the playoffs.”
While the second-ranked Cubettes swept the district series with Huntsville, 9-3 and 17-4, Hopper hopes to bring the experience her young team gained from four playoff wins into the meeting.
Brenham coach Wade Wilson will put all of Brenham’s hopes on sophomore pitcher Brandy Federwisch.
“Nothing’s really changed for us,” Hopper said. “We’ve gone out and brushed on the things that we know need brushing up on. We’re trying to keep the hitting going and working on our defense. There’s nothing special at stake just because it’s Brenham. They’re just the next opponent.”
If the third time is the charm for Huntsville, then next week’s regional semifinals opponent would be either Nederland or Richmond Foster.