2020 Maury County softball previews
Taking a preseason glance at the county’s seven teams as the season looms:
Columbia Academy Lady Bulldogs
Coach: Seth Anderson (3rd season)
District: 3-DIIA
2019 record: 34-6
2019 postseason finish: Class A state champions (defeated Summertown 3-0)
Returning starters: 8
Key contributors: Bailee Luna, sr. RF; Karli Quillin, so. CF; Kennedy Chatman, fr. 2B; Tori Duval, fr. SS; Karley Harakas, jr. 3B; Chloe Carter, fr. LF; Journey Mitchell, jr. P/1B; Averi Slaughter, so. P; Laney Turner, so. C
Coach-speak:“With Bailee Luna being the lone senior, we will once again be a young but experienced team this spring. We are looking forward to the challenge of competing in a new classification and with eight returning starters, we have high expectations of making a deep postseason run again this year.”
Columbia Central Lady Lions
Coach: Shelby Tietgens (1st season)
District: 8-AAA
2019 record: 6-13
2019 postseason finish: District tournament play-in (lost to Franklin Co. 13-6)
Returning starters: 4
Key contributors: Haley Barnes, sr. INF; Tashiya Lyles, jr. INF/OF; Samantha Stubblefield, jr. P; Kiraonte Buchanan, fr. P/UTIL
Coach-speak:“As a new coaching staff takes over this season, we are looking forward to substantial growth and making a competitive run into the postseason. We have been impressed with the newcomers in the freshman class and expect them to make a splash with our key returners throughout the season. Overall, they have shown a willingness to learn and strive for a successful season.”
Culleoka
Lady Warriors
Coach: Beverly Norman (2nd season)
District: 10-A
2019 record: 8-13
2019 postseason finish: District tournament (eliminated by Richland 12-4)
Returning starters: 5
Key contributors: Alyssa Beckenbach, sr. C; Kylie Thomas, so. P; Tyler Reischman, so. INF; Alex Skinner, so. INF/P; Chloe Kennedy, so. INF; Katelyn Beckenbach, jr. INF
Coach-speak:“Although numbers are small in the amount of players this year, we have a competitive group of young ladies that have the spirit of a ‘Warrior’. We will grow together and have fun together as well as play as a team. I would put this team up against anybody, win or lose.”
Mt. Pleasant
Lady Tigers
Coach: Misti Grooms (8th season)
District: 10-A
2019 record: 9-16
2019 postseason finish: District tournament (eliminated by Richland 9-5)
Returning starters: 6
Key contributors: Katie Thomason, jr. P; Caleigh Smith, sr. OF; Kyleigh Brewer, jr. OF; Makenzie Watson, sr. 1B; Baleigh Gray, so. C; Kylie Brewer, so. INF
Coach-speak: “We only have 4 returning upperclassmen (two seniors and twojuniors). We have seven new team members, five of those freshmen. We are definitely young, but have stronger leadership in our upperclassmen along with a ton of talent all up and down the lineup.”
Santa Fe
Lady Wildcats
Coach: Seth Woodard (2nd season)
District: 10-A
2019 record: 11-10
2019 postseason finish: District tournament (eliminated by Richland 1-0)
Returning starters: 8
Key contributors: Shelby Rector, sr. UTIL; Lexi McEwen, jr. C; Madelyn Grace Woodard, so. SS; Rachel Dodson, so. 3B
Coach-speak:“We were very young last year, starting four freshmen and a sophomore. We have a year of experience under our belt, and with four returning all-district players, we should be an improved team overall. As is the case most times in softball, a lot will depend on pitching. We will need one of our pitchers to step up and be that ‘go-to’ girl in the circle that we can count on to give us some quality innings.”
Spring Hill
Lady Raiders
Coach: Gary Caperton (4th season)
District: 11-AAA
2019 record: 4-20-1
2019 postseason finish: District tournament (eliminated by Brentwood 7-3)
Returning starters: 6
Key contributors: Savannah Vernon, sr. C/INF; Rachel Raiford, sr. OF/P; Katherine Carter, jr. P/SS; D’Naijha Wade, jr. OF
Coach-speak:“With a strong influx of new players and improvement of our returning players, we will have a solid defense. We are looking for good results with the battery of Carter and Vernon. Also, we will look to be aggressive on the basepaths when we get on.With these improvements, I believewe will be very competitive in our district.”
Zion Christian
Lady Eagles
Coach: Tommy Fox (6th season)
District: 3-DIIA
2019 record: 11-15
2019 postseason finish: Middle Region quarterfinals (lost to Donelson Chr. 19-2)
Returning starters: 7
Key contributors: Caroline Fox, so. SS; Rebecca Hazard, jr. C; Kathryn Kennedy, sr. P/1B
Coach-speak:“We have many returning starters back from last season. We have some talented young players as well. We expect to compete for a district championship, in an extremely competitive district. We need to be better defensively, and we need our pitching staff to continue to work hard and improve.”
— MAURICE PATTON