Brent Hall believes he has the right pieces for a successful 2017 softball season.
But exactly where they all fit is still to be determined.
“I know most of the girls who will play,” Hall said, “but the exact position, I can’t tell you.”
The softball shuffle starts with senior Kaitlyn Root, a first baseman who out of necessity moved to shortstop in the middle of last season. The move worked and because senior Carly Crawford is battling arm issues, Hall could keep Root there.
When Root isn’t playing first, senior Madison Lawson – a natural outfielder – could play there. Another option is Taylor Chipps, the team’s returning starting second baseman.
If Chipps isn’t starting at second, Crawford could play there to protect her arm. Jaden Stell and Shelby Ozier are also possibilities.
{{tncms-inline alignment=”right” content=”<p>Aug. 18 – Stoutland</p> <p>Aug. 26 – Houston Tournament</p> <p>Aug. 29 – at Liberty</p> <p>Aug. 31 – at Cuba</p> <p>Sept. 5 – Salem</p> <p>Sept. 7 – Laquey</p> <p>Sept. 11 – Seymour</p> <p>Sept. 12 – Norwood</p> <p>Sept. 15 – at Mansfield</p> <p>Sept. 19 – Hartville</p> <p>Sept. 21 – at Ava</p> <p>Sept. 26 – at Gainesville</p> <p>Sept. 27 – Newburg</p> <p>Sept. 28 – Willow Springs</p> <p>Oct. 2 – Bakersfield</p>” id=”5aa913a2-b36a-47fd-a821-752cbe36f78f” style-type=”bio” title=”2017 SOFTBALL SCHEDULE” type=”relcontent” width=”half”}}
Third base could be Crawford, Stell, Ozier or Jessica Schivitz.
“I will probably place Kaitlyn and then try to put the puzzle together,” Hall said.
Behind the plate will be Madison Curtis, a returning starter who shifts to a new position to fill the vacancy of departed four-year starter Stephani Crewse. She is backed up by Gracie Akers.
The outfield is as big of a question mark as the infield. If she isn’t playing first, Lawson will anchor the outfield. Ozier and Stell are also options when not playing the infield along with Jazmin Morton, Kameron Hall, Abby Dzurick, Emma Bryant and Mackenzie Reber.
“Part of our quandry with all our positions is because this summer, our outfield wasn’t very good,” Hall said. “It has gotten better, but I’ve told some of our girls who play the infield, you might be in the outfield just because we need it.”
One position that won’t be in doubt is the starting pitcher. Junior Emily Roberts returns after logging every varsity inning her sophomore campaign to earn all-conference honors.
With her backups freshmen who Hall prefers not to use at the varsity level, Roberts will again be asked to carry the load on the mound.
“She has improved every year,” Hall said. “She was pretty fragile as a freshman, but last she was much better.”
Offensively, Crawford will again bat leadoff. Root, Chipps and Lawson will bat somewhere in the 2-3-4 positions.
“After that, it will depend on who is playing that day,” Hall said.
Chipps had a team-high four home runs last season while batting .338. She was a first team all-conference selection.
Root batted .335 with 15 runs, 14 RBIs and eight steals. Lawson hit .327 with 16 RBIs and Crawford scored 16 runs. All three were honorable mention all-conference picks.
Despite losing two players – Crewse and center fielder Tori McCloud – who batted over .400 last year, Hall said he believes this year’s team can build on the 8-12 mark from 2016. That team earned the top district seed but was upset in the semifinals.
“I think we can get back there,” Hall said. “I don’t see any reason why we can’t.”
Aug. 18 – Stoutland
Aug. 26 – Houston Tournament
Aug. 29 – at Liberty
Aug. 31 – at Cuba
Sept. 5 – Salem
Sept. 7 – Laquey
Sept. 11 – Seymour
Sept. 12 – Norwood
Sept. 15 – at Mansfield
Sept. 19 – Hartville
Sept. 21 – at Ava
Sept. 26 – at Gainesville
Sept. 27 – Newburg
Sept. 28 – Willow Springs
Oct. 2 – Bakersfield