LYNN — Lynn English’s softball team has a new head coach in Bri Skinner. She replaced Ashley Aldred, who is now the school’s athletic director.
The new leader of the Lady Bulldogs moved to the area from Florida in July.
“I’ve taught in Florida for the last six years and I coached high school down there. I’ve also coached multiple travel teams down there,” Skinner said. “This past fall, I helped out at Simmons University with their fall season, but decided to walk away. Now, I’m coaching at Lynn English that I’m super stoked about.”
English saw a solid turnout this season.
“We’ve had good numbers. We had about 30 kids come out and we kept 19,” she said. “We’re a pretty young team. We only have two seniors (Ava Jones and Armely Mateo) rostered. We have 10 sophomores and a really strong freshmen class. I have a lot of excitement for what the future of the program has since we’re only graduating two kids and have a lot of young individuals that we can mold, who have a lot of potential.”
Skinner spoke about wanting her players to take something from their experiences.
“I talk to Ashley daily about what her experience was and some advice, but I’m just excited to push the girls as hard as they want to be pushed and be as good as we can be,” she said. “If I can get a college player or two out of it, that would be awesome, but I just want to be able to make sure that everyone’s giving their best. They’re receiving what I’m trying to teach them and when they leave, by the end of their season and their high school career, they’re able to leave with something either tangible or intangible that I taught them.”
There are three underclassmen Skinner believes are primed for big seasons.
“We have a sophomore from Fredrick Douglass Collegiate Academy in Jianny Bernabel. She’s going to be a very good player. She’s a solid third baseman and might play shortstop for us. She’s probably going to be in the 3-4 hole hitting. She has a great attitude and great mechanics. She’s fun to watch,” Skinner said. “We have freshman Cassandra Miranda. We’ll see her on the mound and will use her in multiple positions: catching, shortstop, and outfield. She’s really talented and has played travel softball for a while. Adriana Martinez is showing really great leadership qualities. She’s just coming off double knee surgery, so this is kind of like her redemption story. I’m excited to see how she does this year. She’ll be our first baseman and another one who will hit in the 3-4 spot.”
Skinner is eager to get outside as fields are still being prepped.
“We haven’t been outside yet; we’ve been doing a lot of skills and drills inside. I want to see them play as one unit. We have a lot of different skill levels on the team, so I’m hoping that players can help players — as well as my coaching staff helping out. I do hope to go at least .500 and make the playoffs and have the players take something from the season.”
The Lady Bulldogs begin their regular season April 6 in Medford at 4:15 p.m.
