Lady Wolves seek return to state softball tournament by Joey Martin - posted Thursday, February 7th, 2013 @ 9:44 am  E-mail Story |  Print Story  For the first time in five years, a familiar fixture will be missing on the Monterey softball diamond. Two-time Parish Player of the Year Ellen Bairnsfather has taken her softball skills to LSU-Alexandria. Bairnsfather batted .366, scored 26 runs, totaled five home runs and stole 24 bases. She also went 6-6 on the mound, finishing with a 1.18 earned run average, striking out 83 and walking 24. But there are plenty top returning players for Lady Wolf head coach Hazel Brallier for Monterey to set a goal of reaching the state tournament for the second time in three years. "It will definitely be different," Brallier said. "Ellen was certainly a huge asset. But we have some girls who are ready to step up." Monterey's season ended last year in the second round of the playoffs as the Lady Wolves lost to Oak Hill 2-0 at Oak Hill to end its season at 15-13. Oak Hill lost to state champion Anacoco 1-0 in the state semifinals. Senior Paige Bryan returns on the mound for the Lady Wolves. Bryan was 5-7 for the Lady Wolves with a 1.11 ERA. She struck out 35 and walked 17. Bryan also batted .299. "It's all on Paige now," Brallier said. "We're just hoping she can stay healthy. She has had some setbacks in the past." Senior Kennedy Poole is behind the plate. "Our pitcher is only as good as your catcher and your catcher is only as good as your pitcher,"Braillier said. "Kennedy does a good job for us." Junior Karlee Woodruff is at shortstop. Woodruff led the Lady Wolves in hitting at .455 with two home runs, scoring 13 runs and batting in 23. Senior Bailey New batted .282 last year, while sophomore Jody Duncan returns in the outfield after hitting .265. Junior Ashlee Wilson will also be counted on to contribute.. "We've also got a strong group of ninth-graders coming up," Brailler said. "We'll be moving some people around to different positions. I feel like we can be just as good as we were last year. These girls have been playing together for a while."