Some watching visiting Deep Creek High School’s 11-1 victory over Lakeland High School’s softball team on Thursday might have simply felt like they had seen a rout.

But new Lady Cavaliers coach James Roddy saw progress in his team.

“It was a lot better than what we’ve been having,” he said. “Of course, we’re young. I’ve only got two seniors and three juniors, and I’m carrying a bunch of sophomores. So, we are building.”

Meanwhile, the Lady Hornets are one of the most highly-regarded teams in the area, something the Southeastern District is known for producing.

Roddy, who brings with him a wealth of travel ball coaching experience, sees the potential for Lakeland to grow into a force to be reckoned with, as well.

This year, “truthfully, I think we’re going to do pretty good,” he said. “I’m still trying to learn the girls, the girls are trying to learn me, being a new coach coming in, what I expect, what I want them to do.”

A couple of the girls know him because he is their travel ball coach within the Galaxy Fastpitch Association. Roddy has enlisted the help of another Galaxy Fastpitch coach, Allen Wetmore, to coach the Lakeland junior varsity team and begin developing the girls for varsity play.

“We’re really changing the program because, basically, last year, they didn’t even have a JV team,” Roddy said.

The varsity Lady Cavs opened the 2016 season with a 10-2 road loss to Western Branch High School on March 16. They bounced back two days later, handing visiting Oscar Smith High School an 11-1 defeat.

Lakeland fell 16-2 to host Great Bridge High School on Tuesday before Thursday’s loss, but “each game, I’m seeing improvements,” Roddy said.

He cited as an example junior Jada Futrell, who played in left field for the first time on Thursday.

“She tracked some fly balls very well for me today, so we’re getting there,” Roddy said. “I think we’ll finish up .500, that’s how positive I am. I think we’re going to get there.”

Among the players expected to lead Lakeland are seniors Stasha Waterfield and Victoria Abel and sophomore Brittney Strickland.

“Of course, Stasha’s the big-time leader,” Roddy said. “She’s anchoring down the catcher spot for us,” and she’s doing well at it.

“She had two big hits today in the game, threw two girls out stealing, which is good,” the coach said.

Roddy highlighted Strickland as one of the team’s strong points. She was a starting center fielder last year, making the all-conference first team as a freshman.

“Now she’s starting at shortstop this year for us,” the coach said.

Roddy pointed to pitching as an area of needed growth for the Lady Cavaliers, but he said Abel is doing fairly well in the circle.

“She throws a lot of strikes,” he said, adding that she gave up only one walk against Deep Creek in six innings. She also recorded two hits on offense.

Junior Whitney Jones is the second starting pitcher for Lakeland.

“Second game of the season, she threw six innings, had four strikeouts, done very well,” Roddy said. “That’s our only win so far.”

The coach noted sophomore Morgan Stevens did not get to play last year because she had knee surgery, but this year she is serving as center fielder.

“She’s going to be a very good one,” Roddy said.

The early season district schedule is formidable, but by the time the Lady Cavs get to conference play and face only fellow Group 3A schools, Roddy expects his team to be tough to beat.

Lakeland (1-3) plays on Thursday in a tournament at Grassfield High School.