Meredith Powell says she learned most of what she knows about coaching softball from her two-year stint as an assistant under Colleen Duman at Poquoson High five years ago.
Powell, now currently in her third year as the head coach at Warhill High, has been putting those lessons to good use recently.
Powell guided the Lions to a 5-3 victory over her former mentor, Duman, and the Islanders Friday afternoon, marking the program’s first victory over perennial Bay Rivers power Poquoson in school history.
Trailing 3-2 heading into the final inning, Warhill rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh to take its first lead of the game, 5-3, before sophomore pitching standout Colby Norris closed the door in the bottom of the frame. Norris struck out 12 batters over seven innings of work allowing seven hits and three runs.
One of the most notable coaching moves of Powell’s young career could have been the difference maker in the game, too. Powell called upon freshman Makayla Fannin as the Lions’ designated hitter Friday, and in her varsity debut, Fannin rewarded her coach by going 3-3 from the plate with 3 RBIs.
“Obviously I’m very excited,” Powell said. “The one thing we said we wanted to do was finish a game. On Wednesday (in a 6-5 season-opening loss to York) we got off to a slow start, but today we started and finished. I was very proud of my girls.”
The Lions continue to make significant strides under Powell as the program has improved substantially each season under her direction.
After taking over a team that failed to win a game the previous year, Powell led the Lions to their first-ever district-tournament appearance in her second season at the helm last spring. Warhill also won the only home game and had a player (Malinka Walters) named to the all-district first team for the first time in school history last season.
With close games against two of the Bay Rivers top teams already this season, including a victory over a Poquoson team that beat district-favorite Grafton (11-9) on Wednesday, have the Lions finally blossomed into a title contender?
Every coach I’ve spoken with this season thinks so.
“We’re headed in the right direction,” Powell said.
