By Ryan Ostry
Bugle Reporter
@RyanOstry_BR18
rostry@buglenewspapers.com
The Plainfield South softball team is off to another hot start, but this time, it’s with a new coach in the drivers seat.
Kelly Ash, who coached last year’s Plainfield North Tigers to a second-place finish in the Class 4A state finals, is now at the helm for the Cougars.
Kelly Ash takes over at Plainfield South this season after leading North to a second-place finish in Class 4A a year ago. (Photo by Ryan Ostry)
“At North last year, we had a really good team and it was hard to leave there,” Ash said. “I got a offer I couldn’t refuse at Plainfield South, and I knew what team I was getting coming into this year.”
The Cougars graduated 10 players from last year’s 2018 squad and return three seniors for the 2019 season including Becca Garner, Jailene Carrion and Jordan Albright.
Along with the three veterans, the Cougars also have a heavy dose of six juniors, along with three sophomores and two freshmen.
The Cougars’ recent victory over the Romeoville Spartans 17-5, put them to 8-2 overall, with a 2-0 conference record.
“Our coaches always tell us to jump on the other team quick to make a statement and show who is the better team,” said South shortstop Ashley Coreley.
After starting off the season with a loss to a non-conference team in the York Dukes, the Cougars put together a five-game winning streak.
Following one loss, the Cougars have put together a three-game winning streak together since, with the Spartans being their latest victim.
For Ash, even though his Cougar team is very young, he said that he does see correlations from last years North squad to his new 2019 team.
“There is a lot of speed, both teams have a lot of speed,” Ash said. “With North, they were very aggressive on the base paths and could swing it, this year, we can do both of those things as well.”
Dunning and Coreley who are both captains of the Cougar softball team will be leading the way for the Cougars in the 2019 season.
A third baseman and shortstop, along with being the number three and four hitters in the lineup will be a dangerous combination according to Ash.
“They’re both our captains, they are both very solid defensively and with the bat as well,” Ash said. “They’re both just really solid kids.”