MILLEDGEVILLE — Could 2010 be the year for the John Milledge Academy girls softball team?

The Lady Trojans (4-2) are packed with a solid core of seniors, a group that has been through highs and lows during their career — but, most importantly, all of these girls were there when the team won it all in 2008.

“We’ve got a good mix. I’ve got a good group of seniors. They are going to have to step up,” said head coach Gordon Veal Wednesday afternoon as his girls worked on batting practice. “The key for us is that our studs have to ‘be’ studs. When they take the field they have to do their job.”

Veal also noted some of the talented underclassmen that will contribute and said they will also give JMA a tremendous boost.

“We have a solid nucleus of younger and older players. Sophomore Rachel Prestwood is doing a good job for us at catcher. We also have junior Harley Jeneatt at third, and she’s going to help us a lot,” said Veal.

Freshman Kate Giddens has also been solid for JMA on the mound and has also flashed some brilliance in the outfield and at the plate.

“She’s doing a fine job on the mound and out in left field. She’s one of my leaders as far as hitting the ball, too,” said Veal.

The Lady Trojans have quite a few studs and can rely on any of their seniors for clutch hits and timely defense.

“I’m leaning on my seniors. I’ve got Stacey Couey and Brooke Underwood up the middle and Anna Williams over in right field. I’ve got Carlie O’Neal in center field. Ellen Staton comes in and plays some at first base and does a lot of pinch-hitting for us,” said Veal. “Caitlyn Tompkins comes in and plays right field and does a great job for us. Lynsey Rowland is doing a fine job at first, and of course we have Katie Murray on the mound.”

Murray (2-1) has done a lot from the mound during her career and doesn’t always like to be referred to as “ace” when so many of her teammates have factored into her victories.

“This is a team effort and it’s not just me. I couldn’t do it without the girls behind me,” said Murray. “As far as the state [tournament] goes, we could win if we put our minds to it. We have the defense to do it. If we work together we can do whatever.”

Veal mentioned that a few of his players are currently on the injured reserved list. Junior Crista Evans is nursing a shoulder sprain, and sophomore Kristin McCoy is still recovering from an ACL injury and may not return until later in the season.

“Everybody has a roll on this team. It may just be that they come in and do a little pinch running — but they have got to accept that that’s their roll, and do that and do it well. That’s what it’s going to take to make us successful.”

Senior Stacey Couey believes her team has what it takes to be successful, if they can continue to overcome feisty opponents and work as a unit.

“I think we’re good. We have our ups and downs. I just hope we can keep the good spirit going. We’ve been doing good, we just need to make sure we keep our pitchers up and keep everybody up,” said Couey. “Even if we get a lead in the early innings we like to keep our focus and keep going.”

Senior Brooke Underwood feels her team can definitely live up to expectations if they do what they have been taught to do.

“If we play like I know we can we’ll be pretty good — as long as we don’t get down,” she said. “We’ve been really good this year about picking ourselves up quick if we get down.”

Underwood also added that the team can go far if they continue that focus and keep runners from getting into scoring position.

“It’s been good as far as that aspect. If the opposing team gets runners in scoring position we have figured out ways to get out of that jam,” she said. “We know if we work hard and want it, we can grab a state championship.”

Senior Carlie O’Neal also feels that her team has the recipe to make a successful run in 2010.

“It feels really, really good. We have a good team with some great athletes. As long as we work together and do what we’re suppose to do we can do it this year,” said O’Neal.