When you go into a new season in any sport all you can ask for is a chance and an opportunity. And that is exactly what head coach Garry Couch and the Georgia Military Lady Bulldogs have each year thanks to a feeder system from middle school on up.

Once again in 2009, the Lady Dogs, led by an unbelievably talented senior class, made it to the state playoffs. Their record for the year was 19-11-2 with a regular season record of 17-9-2.

One of the ties was against AAAAA powerhouse Valdosta early in the year as the Lady Bulldogs were trying to find their stroke. The regular season saw the team only lose two games to Class A teams with the other seven losses coming against AAA or higher classification teams. Of those losses, the Lady Dogs avenged two as they beat AAAA powerhouse Jones County and also perennial state playoff participant West Laurens. Both of those teams made the Elite 8 in their respective class — which proved that GMC can play with and have the ability to beat anyone on any given day.

The senior class of Lauryn Dennard, Kaylee Fuller, Alix Durden, Whitney Hardee, Caroline Smith, Kaylee Johnson and Adrienne Couey leave behind a legacy that future Lady Bulldogs can hope to achieve.

Their four year record was 86-45-3, with two of those years having a total of only 11 loses, and a winning percentage of .642.

In those four years the Lady Bulldogs were also undefeated in region play with a remarkable 32-0 record.

Along with the seven seniors, this year’s team also saw masterful pitching by Alyssa Amerson, some of the most beautifully executed bunts by Christin Cox, the defensive prowess of Krista Lanzilotta and the knowledge of each facet of the game by Jordi Bohannon, who is also a “diamond in the rough” type player.

Amerson, Cox, Lanzilotta and Bohannon will be part of the returning nucleus along with others who saw action this year — getting some well needed game experience. Those players include Kristin Zweizig, Brooke Williams, Bethany Crews, Hayley Spires, Alanna Turner, Karmen Fuller, Kaleigh Donnelly, Kinsli Davis and Brianna Columbus.

Also, Danielle Easterly seemed to put her name in the mix as a future Lady Bulldog star.

All these returning players, plus a few C- Team players who have a great grasp of the game, will be the team that takes GMC Prep past 2010 for softball success.

Anyone lucky enough to see the Lady Bulldogs play were treated to some great games. Anyone lucky enough to be included into the inner circle of the GMC family were always treated with warmth and friendship and respect. And anyone lucky enough to know the 2009 softball seniors were in the presence of some of the most well-mannered, thoughtful, fun, knowledgeable and respectful young women GMC Prep School has to offer.

And that just shows they have been taught valuable lessons that started at home with loving parents and family.

So to the world that will receive these seniors into their ranks, count your blessings as these young women will go forth and be great leaders in their community, great women thanks to their values taught at home and school, and great mothers to their children thanks to the parents that have taught them how to love.

So, ladies, congratulations on an awesome four years and a great senior season — and thank you for including us all in every second of your softball careers.

God speed to each and every one of you.