By Matt Turer — mturer@ky3.com
@MattTurer
Mike McHolland is back and heading up a Morrisville softball program that won 14 games in 2016 and has won at least 14 games in four of the past five seasons.
One thing missing from that five-year stretch is a district title (the Panthers lost 14-8 to Walnut Grove in last year’s district championship). Morrisville hasn’t won one since 2003, but with a good nucleus of returning players in 2017, there’s reason for hope there.
The Lady Panthers return four starters from last year’s team, and they’re key ones.
It starts with all-region selection and team MVP Katie Collins. The junior shortstop/pitcher hit .506 last season out of the leadoff spot, scoring 29 runs, driving in 19 runs and swiping 15 bags.
“She loves the game,” McHolland said of Collins. “She’ll do anything for the team to make her and the team better.”
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Starting pitcher Erica Brisley returns as well. Another junior, Brisley was 13-8 with a 3.38 ERA and 1.35 WHIP, striking out 84 in 113.2 innings. She’s also big at the plate and hit .426 with four home runs, 19 runs and 32 RBIs in 2016.
The other two returning starters are senior catcher/infielder Michaela Presley and junior centerfielder Bailey Simmons. Presley was an all-region outfielder after hitting .303 with nine steals, 23 runs and 17 RBIs. She’ll be moving back to catcher this season. Simmons hit .276 but was hurt for half the season. McHolland said he needs Simmons to be “more consistent at the plate and at her position” this season.
“[Presley] is a very versatile player,” McHolland said. “She’s the leader of the team.”
Newcomer Casey Cossins is a senior first baseman/third baseman who hit .343 in limited varsity time last season.
“With four returning starters coming back from last season, hopefully we can keep up the tradition of Lady Panther softball, improve on our team success and get better each day as a team,” McHolland said.
Sophomore second baseman Eliza Francka, junior outfielder Bailee Jess, freshman infielder Nettie Wiggins, junior infielder Sunshine Sence is also a varsity newcomers.
McHolland is 210-84 (fall/spring combined record) over nine seasons as a coach.
