Head coach Josh Bumgarner and the four seniors on South Iredell's softball team have seen a rise in the Vikings program over the last three years.
This is the season they have been building toward.
South Iredell has it all this year — pitching, offense, speed, defense and experience.
The players hope it leads to a high finish in the Catawba Valley Athletic Conference, and perhaps an extended stay in the postseason.
"We all came in together," South pitcher Kelsey Spangler said. "Coach Bumgarner's first year here was my freshman year. It's kind of bittersweet, in a way. We should have a really good season, but it will be our last one together."
Spangler, who is committed to Belmont Abbey, has starred on the mound since she was a freshman. So have the rest of South's seniors.
Spangler, Laci Graney, Kathleen Pasquarella and Devan Poff all have started more than 70 high school games.
The relationship between Spangler and Pasquarella is especially close, considering Pasquarella is the catcher.
"They've all played pretty much every game since they started high school," Bumgarner said. "Having them all brings us some really strong leadership abilities. It's especially important to have your battery back. Kelsey and Kathleen bring us a lot of stability in our pitching game."
The Vikings should be just as potent at the plate as well.
Pasquarella and Graney both hit .500 last season, and South has enough balance between speedsters and big bats to keep teams off-balance.
"Out top three batters are slappers," Spangler said. "They can get on base with their speed. Then Kathleen comes up fourth. She's pretty quick, but her bat is so strong she's able to drive them in."
The Vikings open CVAC play Tuesday against West Caldwell.
It's going to be an interesting transition. Players and coaches have gotten used to the make-up of teams like North Lincoln, East Lincoln and Lincolnton in the old Southern Piedmont 1A-2A Conference.
Based on preseason scrimmages and returning starters, Bumgarner thinks his crew should compete for the conference crown.
"We feel like we should have a strong year and be on of the best teams in our conference," Bumgarner said. "Now, we still have a lot of work to do, but I think we can get there."
A strong regular season could put South in position to make some postseason noise.
The Vikings steadily have improved in the playoffs every year.
In 2007, South finished 8-16 and lost to Owen in the first round after gaining a wild-card entry. The following season, South finished 11-13 and lost to Forbush.
Last season may have helped the Vikings turn the corner.
With a 12-10 record after the regular season, South Iredell drew two-time defending state champion Central Davidson in the opening round.
South gave the Spartans quite a contest before Central Davidson — who later completed the three-peat — won 1-0 in eight innings.
"That showed what kind of potential we have," Graney said. "We feel like it's our time to be the big dogs."
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