Sanders takes over CCHS softball program

For the first time in eight years, Central Catholic High School will have a new softball coach as Linda Sanders has taken over the program, replacing new Berwick softball coach Joe Russo.
Central Catholic announced the appointment in early April.
Sanders comes to Central Catholic with previous coaching experience as well as a decorated playing career.
She was head softball coach at E.D. White for six year and coached at East St. John the past year.
Earlier before she got into coaching, the Southern California native attended Long Beach State University on a softball scholarship where she started for four years — two years at second base and two years at shortstop. She earned third-team All-American honors as a sophomore second baseman. She played in three Women’s College World Series and now is in the school’s athletic hall of fame.
She said she was attracted to the Central Catholic job because it was a “good, established program.”
“Central Catholic has always had a good softball program, and I played against them for years when I coached at E.D. White,” Sanders said.
Sanders said she wants her team to be strong with discipline, fundamentals and work ethic, something she said she hopes to the Central Catholic program.
“I really want to make sure that the girls are well rounded with pitching, fielding and hitting all the way around and disciplined when it comes to discipline at the plate, with hitting wise as well with pitching, running bases, fielding the ball,” Sanders said.” That’s how I coach. I want the girls to be well-rounded, especially with fundamentals as well.”
While the Eagles will have some holes to fill from its Division IV quarterfinal appearance this year, Sanders said she is excited about the program’s future.
“We have some great key players coming back, a lot of young players that are going to step up into those roles with the girls that they are losing, but a lot of young players are coming back and coming up,” Sanders said. “This program is going to be strong for many years to come because of those young players, and they’re willing to step up into those roles of the girls that we’re losing. … The summer ball program is going well. … I’m really excited about what our program is going to look like in January.”
Central Catholic Principal Vic Bonnaffee said, “She has tremendous background and successes in sports. Where else can you find in the general area a young lady who is in the Hall of Fame at Long Beach State for softball as a shortstop? There’s not a lot of people who can claim that kind of recognition for themselves.”
Three of Sanders’ four children are collegiate athletes. Her sons Scottie and Cameron play baseball at Southeastern Louisiana University and LSU, respectively, while her daughter Lindsie plays softball for Coastal Alabama Community College. Her youngest son, Jaden, is a sophomore at E.D. White.