- May 6, 2024
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The Flagler Palm Coast softball team went 11-9 last season. This year, coach Sarah Poppe’s team hopes to contend for a district title.
As the preseason came to an end and the beginning of the regular season rolled around, Flagler Palm Coast softball coach Sarah Poppe has noticed a few things about her team. However, one thing in particular has stood out: Her Lady Bulldogs are working as hard as ever.
FPC hopes to build on its 11-9 record last season — though the Lady Bulldogs lost in the semifinals of last season’s district tournament.
Poppe said the team has chemistry and plays the game with passion, but off the diamond, the players also take their academics seriously.
“They have a great work ethic and know what it means to be a team player,” Poppe said.
On the diamond, the Lady Bulldogs have numerous weapons.
Junior Lee Ann Spivey is the team’s starting catcher. Spivey has verbally committed to play college ball at the University of South Florida and hit .532 with four homers and 25 RBIs last season.
Defensively, in the outfield, FPC has speed. Starting center fielder Kayla Lamphier (senior) is a slap hitter and tallied 19 stolen bases last season.
Kelsey Donahue (senior) has committed to Florida Tech and is a power slap-hitter who batted .425 with 21 RBIs last season.
FPC also has numerous options with pitching. Freshman Anna Hardy is vying for the starting job, though Poppe said Maria Matty and Donhue will also pitch quite a bit. Matty is a second-year varsity player and had a 1.21 ERA last season.
Hardy is also working with a pitching coach outside of practice to improve.
“(Anna) really wants to earn a starting position,” Poppe said. “She is very dedicated to the team and works hard.”
The Lady Bulldogs are currently 2-0, with wins against University, 11-0, and Spruce Creek, 4-1.
Poppe said she’s excited for the season because, “We have so much talent and (the team) is working harder than it has ever worked before.”
FPC and Matanzas face off in the cross-town matchup at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, at Matanzas.
Poppe said her players get excited for the game against Matanzas, especially because many of the players know each other from around town and from travel ball.
“The (FPC vs. Matanzas) game is good for local sports,” Poppe said. “It brings the community together and raises interest in our programs, which in turn develops the feeder programs.”
FPC PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kelsey Donahue, Sr., LF: The Florida Tech commit will bat from the left side of the plate as a power slap-hitter. She hit .425 with 21 RBIs last season. Donahue will also likely be FPC’s closer — she had a 1.92 ERA with 68 strikeouts last season.
Anna Hardy, Fr., P: As a freshman, she will start most of the Bulldogs’ games in the circle.
Kayla Lamphier, Sr. CF: Great slap-hitter with terrific speed. Batted .386 last season with 19 stolen bases.
Casey Senkowsky, Sr., 3B: The aggressive third baseman hit .455 last season.
Lee Ann Spivey, Jr., C: The verbal commit to the University of South Florida hit .532 with four homers and 25 RBIs last season.
