Powell puts together the pieces for a state softball run
The road to Murfreesboro is full of potential pitfalls, but Powell High School softball coach Jeff Inman is confident his Lady Panthers have a shot at returning in 2018.
Powell fell just short a year ago, losing to Gibbs in the state Class AAA tournament finals in Murfreesboro to finish off a spectacular 37-8-1 season.
It was Powell’s first trip to the state softball tournament since 2007. With a little luck, Inman isn’t planning on waiting another 10 years to get back to Murfreesboro.
“As long as we stay healthy I think we have a good chance to get back (to state),” said Inman. “Overall, we fundamentally should be a solid team.”
On paper, the Lady Panthers appear to have it all with several key players returning and no glaring weakness.
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Powell has one of the state’s top pitchers in Allison Farr. As a sophomore, she finished 27-5 with a 1.33 ERA.
“If we get one or two runs we feel like we’ve got a real shot to win with her,” offered Inman.
“Pitching is obviously one of our strengths. Allison doesn’t give up many free bases and she gets her share of strikeouts. She competes. She committed to East Tennessee State, and we feel like they’re getting a steal.”
Senior Kennedy Cowden and sophomore Lilly Holston are two more of six Powell starters who return from last season.
Holston led the Lady Panthers with 59 RBIs as a freshman.
“Lilly played second last year, but will be our top third baseman this season,” said Inman. “She led us in RBIs and she was at .500 for most of the season. She led us in hitting.”
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Cowden, a Kentucky commitment who will open in center field, hopes to make it through an entire season healthy.
“We’ve only had her for half a season the last three years,” said Inman. “I just hope she has a full year of good health. There is nothing she can’t do. She has got all the talent. She has great speed and as slim as she is, she has some great power.”
Big things are also expected of junior first baseman Haley Schultz, according to Inman.
“She’s an excellent defensive player and a solid hitter. She was basically around .400 all last season.”
Catcher Mackenzie Lamb garnered all-district honors as a sophomore.
“In my opinion she’s one of the top defensive catchers in the state,” said Inman.
Powell has another defensive-minded player opening in left field in senior Mackenzie Hayles.
Inman said there’s really only one question he has about this team.
“They have big shoes to fill, not on the field, but in the dugout. Our senior leadership last year was probably the best I’ve had in my 13 years of coaching.”
2018 Powell softball schedule
March 12-16 Gulf Coast Classic at Gulf Shores, Ala.
March 19 Oak Ridge
March 20 at Karns
March 23 Maryville and Jefferson County at Maryville
March 24 at Central
March 26 at Anderson County
March 27 Campbell County
March 29 Halls
March 30 at Hardin Valley
April 2 at Farragut
April 3 at Clinton
April 5 Central
April 6-8 Eastman Tournament at Kingsport
April 10 at Oak Ridge
April 12 Karns
April 13 Heritage
April 17 Anderson County
April 18 Union County
April 20-21 at Gibbs Tournament
April 24 at Halls
April 25 at Gibbs
April 26 Clinton
April 30 at King’s Academy
May 2 District tournament
May 14-16 Region tournament
May 18 Sectional
May 22-26 State tournament
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