Grossie to lead Lady Jay softball

By Tom Dodge
Sports Editor
The last time the Lady Jays advanced to the state tournament was in 2007.
New St. Edmund head softball coach Ashlyn Grossie wants to see her team return to Sulphur and build on their playoff tradition.
“I am so excited,” Grossie said. “I like what I see in the softball team.
“I want them to grow as a program and advance deeper into the playoffs.
“I don’t want them ever to be satisified with just getting to the second round, I want to see them return to the state tournament on a regular basis.
“The first step is making them believe they can.”
Grossie is a 2006 Delcambre High graduate and began her college softball career at East Mississippi Comunity College,
She then moved to McNeese, but a back injury ended her playing days as a catcher.
Grossie then transferred to Louisiana – Lafayette, where she graduated in 2012.
She was head basketball coach and assistant softball coach at Catholic High of New Iberia last season after spending five seasons with the Erath High softball program.
“I had a great mentor in coach Mark Suire, who is now at Centenary College,’ Grossie said of her high school head coach. “But it was in college where I realized I wanted to help other girls become better players and people.”
Grossie said she will begin with the basics and fundamentals as she begins with the Lady Jays.
“I want too see us go forward and not backwards.” she said. “I want to see our team chemistry deepen.”
Grossie said later this summer they will go on a team camp adventure to bond together and improve as players.
“Hopefully we can learn each other and mesh together.”
Grossie said she wants her team to develop confidence as they work hard and become deeper dedicated to the sport and the team.
“I am ready to get out there and see what they can do.”
Grossie will also coach cross country ands teach business at St. Edmund.
“Ashlyn’s enthusiasm and vivacious personality has endeared her to the selection committee as well as parents who knew her previously to her coming to St Edmunds,” St. Edmund principal Laurie Doucet said.
“Natalie Poole, former head softball coach at McNeese State, said Ashlyn would be a wonderful role model for our young Catholic girls,” Doucet added.
“She is a Christian woman who will be an asset to St Edmund.”