Bird student-athletes make it official

A pair of senior leaders for L.C. Bird softball signed on the dotted line to continue their softball careers at Richard Bland College this past week, Kamryn Lanier and Ashley Fritz.

Lanier, a third baseman and Fritz, a catcher are two key cogs for an L.C. Bird team that has shown great improvement over the past two seasons. Last year, they won their first round match-up in the Conference 12 tournament over Matoaca. This year, they’re out to improve on that performance, currently standing with a record of 7-5.

“The biggest reason for our growth is our kids,” said coach, Lynne Gilbert. “Kam and Fritz drive that train.”

Lanier may be an suspecting softball player, as she’s also on the L.C. Bird dance team. The multi-talented senior anchors third base and though she struggled through a slump to start the season, her bat has started to come alive at the right time. Defensively, Gilbert says, she’s vital to the success of the infield playing the hot corner.

Fritz, the team’s catcher has certainly been one of the most exciting offensive performers for the Skyhawks over the past two seasons. Despite catching, a position not known for hosting speedy players, the senior has developed a penchant for the triple. This season, the team captain is hitting .345 through the team’s first 12 games. Gilbert said that defensively she’s made great strides and is quickly becoming one of the top catchers in the area.

They will both join a Richard Bland squad that will be in its third year of existence at a school that has seen athletics rise up over the past few years. Former Skyhawk Kim Ellis played two solid seasons for the Statesmen and figures to move on to a four-year school and finish out her softball career.

One recurring theme throughout the discussion with the returning coach was the two’s leadership.

“Kamryn and Fritz were huge in helping the change occur,” Gilbert said. “It takes a buy-in from all players to change a program; these two have definitely been leaders in creating change.”

Currently slotted in second place in Conference 12 behind Prince George, the Skyhawks are eyeing a potential regional berth. The leadership of the two new signees trickles down to a hard-working core, many of which also excel at other sports.

For example, Barton College basketball signee Angela Caraballo stands out on The Diamond along with her younger sister, Lina. Conference 12 volleyball champion Nautica Jones has been a key contributor. Gilbert also cited the play of Gabby Ballester as being essential to the team’s success.

Across the way on the other diamond, Bird baseball had a player sign on the dotted line. Shane Hernandez will be taking his talents southwest in state to Danville Community College.

“Shane is a coaches’ dream,” said first year coach Kris Wheeler. “He does everything he’s asked, he’s a vocal leader and he hustles.”

While hustling and leadership are key components of getting college interest, showing what you can do on the field is paramount. Hernandez has had a lengthy and unfortunate injury history throughout his high school career, so heading to a JUCO will prep him to continue his college baseball career elsewhere, making up for time lost.

If you dislike pain, skip the next paragraph.

As a sophomore, Hernandez broke his left collarbone. In his junior year, he broke his left collarbone – twice. This year, he sustained a hamstring injury early on, but has returned to be a big part of L.C. Bird successes in 2016, including a recent 4-3 victory over Conference 12 for Varina.

“He hasn’t really gotten a lot of reps in high school compared to other players,” Wheeler said. “He’s a very good D2 level player in my opinion but his skills need to be developed.”

Hernandez plays shortstop for L.C. Bird, but profiles better at second base based on his arm strength and footwork. That’s where Jenkins expects him to play in Danville. A significant part of L.C. Bird’s baseball puzzle this season, Hernandez leads the way with three other seniors- big bopper and pitcher Chris Hayden, Trey Ramsey, and 5-4 spark plug Josh Hollis. Both Hayden and Ramsey have received college interest, with Hayden’s coming from some Division I schools.

Jenkins has come in and worked with the Skyhawks on fundamentals, helping them to get the team’s skill sets where they need to be. Most importantly, he’s aiming to change a culture of what he called “being okay with being okay.”

“There’s a lack of baseball knowledge,” Wheeler said. “People don’t expect L.C. Bird to be good, that has to change.”

Wheeler coaches the Skyhawks in addition to being the president at U-Turn Sports Academy. The Kansas City, Missouri native has coached at two smaller Missouri colleges: Evangel and Ottawa University.

If you recognize Danville Community College’s program, it could be for two reasons – one, they are nationally ranked at the JUCO level and secondly, Thomas Dale alum Michael Domowicz signed to play there a couple years ago.

Also signing on L.C. Bird’s signing day were two track standouts. The first was Kristy White, who will be attending Mary Washington. White was a Conference 12 Champion this year on the cross country team and is a runner that specializes in distance events. Deja Powell is headed to the University of Dubuque in Iowa. Powell was a leader on the team in sprints, running the 100m and 4×100 relay.

A L.C. Bird wrestler also signed his name on the dotted line, heading to Ferrum. Nasir Mitchell wrestled at 120 pounds for the Skyhawks this season and posted competitive results while leading the team.

Also signing and previously covered by the Village News were basketball’s Angela Caraballo (Barton College) and KeKe Williams (St. Augustine). Softball’s Emma Goforth (Lynchburg College), football’s J.B. Wright (UVA Wise) and volleyball standout Lache Harper (Central Florida).