By Chris Parker
Buffalo softball is making the switch from fall to spring this year.
“We have not competed in a regular season game since last October due to the switch in season. Over the summer, the girls have put in a ton of work preparing for the transition. We’ve had a great first week and are ready to compete this spring,” Buffalo head coach Dana Henderson said.
Kelsey Williams (senior utility) and Isabella Young (junior catcher) will be team leaders.
“Kelsey has played a huge role on our team since her freshman year. She has literally been the glue that holds the team together and a true utility player. I can put her at any position and she will be successful,” Henderson said. “Bella is the leader of the group. She pushes herself on and off the field always leading by example. Last year was her first year as a catcher and she received first-team all- district and all-conference honors. I look for her to have another outstanding year behind the plate.”
Young hit .508 with 19 RBI and 31 runs scored in the 2019 fall season. Williams hit .395 with 18 RBI and 15 runs scored.
Henderson also said juniors Darby Armstrong (shortstop), Jada Watson (centerfield) and Dixie Gruber (third base) along with freshman Jade Righter (pitcher) will be leaders.
Armstrong hit .338 with 22 runs scored. Watson hit .333 with 15 RBI.
Williams and Righter will handle most of the pitching duties.
“Kelsey has done some of the pitching for us the last three seasons. Over the summer she has really stepped up her game and will compete for the No. 1 spot,” Henderson said. “We’ve been patiently waiting on Jaden to make her way to the high school. She was a definite standout the last two years and we are excited to see her in the circle.”
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The infield lineup will look like this:
Pitcher: Jaden Righter (freshman) and Kelsey Williams (senior)
Catcher: Bella Young (junior)
First Base: Kelsey Williams (senior) and Marlee Andrews (sophomore)
Second Base: Anthea Maddux (junior) and Reagan Woodburn (sophomore)
Shortstop: Darby Armstrong (junior)
Third Base: Dixie Gruber (junior)
The outfield will look like this:
Left: Reagan Woodburn (sophomore) and Ava Maddux (junior)
Center: Jada Watson (junior)
Right: Kayli Wentz (freshman) and Keara Vastine (freshman)
In total, Buffalo returns six starters including four that earned some form of postseason honors from the 2019 fall season.
“Our biggest strength will be our offense. We have a ton of speed and power throughout the lineup,” Henderson said. “My expectation this season is for us to come out and compete every game. We have a strong lineup all the way around this year so I look for us to have more success then we have in the past.”
Buffalo opens the season on Mar. 19 at Mt. Vernon.
