By Chris Parker
Seymour softball took a big step forward last year winning 11 games, which was the first time the Lady Tigers won double digit games in more than a decade.
“Last season was the best season Seymour softball had ever experienced in a fall season. Our seniors went out winning more games in their careers than our program’s previous 18 seasons combined. That will be hard to duplicate this season. We graduated three tremendous players and then two of our other all-region selection players will not be available to us this season. Instead of focusing on those losses we are going to try and develop a future program that produces those type players every year,” Seymour head coach Glen Dawson said.
This year’s team will have no seniors, so leadership will have to come from the sophomore and junior classes.
“Hannah Clark is far and away our team leader. She is our captain and our No. 1 pitcher. She is just a sophomore, but her maturity is up there with our seniors from last year,” Dawson said. “I also expect leadership from our oldest member of our team, junior Kenzie Gage. Kenzie has already brought toughness to our team.”
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Alleigh Warren will also see innings in the circle.
“My 1-2 punch at pitcher will remain the same as last year. Hannah Clark will get most of the starts and Alleigh Warren will get the balance of starts and also come in and be key in a relief role,” Dawson said. “Hannah continues to attack the strike zone and keeps us in any games as long as the defense does its part. Alleigh finished the summer with an amazing amount of control and improved velocity.”
The catcher position is undecided as the Lady Tigers try to replace all-time program great Crystal Misemer.
The battle for a spot behind the plate is between Olivia Kyle and Elisa Valbuena. Freshman Haydon Gage is a strong hitter who could potentially find time at catcher.
The infield will be a work in progress. Makayla Rowland will play at first base with Shea Peters getting opportunities. Warren will play second base. She hit .314 last year. Abby Harper will also get a chance at second base. Allie Alexander and Aubrie Fann will play at shortstop and third base.
Gage will hold down centerfield with Kate Smith in left field. Right field will be a committee with Harley Watkins, Shea Peters, Cameron Hanger, Jadyn Johnson and Gage all getting opportunities.
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“Our team is very athletic. We really have the ability to cover a lot of ground both on the infield and in the outfield. The girls are going to be very fast on the bases, and we’ll have an opportunity to do some things strategy-wise that we have been lacking in the past. We are also very young we will have one Junior, 10 to 12 sophomores and 5 to 8 freshman on this team. A lot of upside for the future,” Dawson said.
Seymour will travel to Norwood on Aug. 20 for a jamboree. The Lady Tigers open the season on Aug. 28 at the Halfway Tournament.
“This is definitely a learning season for us. We will find out what we are going to look like as a future program,” Dawson said. “Our players have worked very hard this summer, but we lack a lot of experience that we are going to get. We have the hardest schedule our program has ever seen, but it is one that will help us learn how to get better.”
