By Chris Parker
Reeds Spring softball will be looking to bounce back from a two-win season with eight players who started at some point last season returning.
“Our summer workouts have gone very well. I’ve been very impressed with our team chemistry and how our older kids have accepted the younger players,” Reeds Spring head coach Scott Walker said.
Three seniors in Mariah Geniuk (third base), Ally Fletcher (pitcher) and Allisyn Vance (centerfield) will be team leaders. Fletcher missed all but one game due to knee surgery last year. Vance was named second-team all-state after she hit .509 with a 1.034 OPS while swiping 22 bases. Geniuk brings a tremendous work ethic and passion to the field. She hit .267 with a .382 on-base percentage.
Fletcher will be joined in the circle by Wynston Crain (junior) and Cami Lee (freshman).
Jamie Valentine (junior), Kaylee Geniuk (freshman) and Ember Dawani (junior) will be behind the plate at catcher.
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The infield will feature some combination of Dawani and Crain at first base, Sedona Schrunk (junior), Emma Vance (sophomore) and Olivia Brock (junior) at second base, Mariah Geniuk and Bella Hittson (freshman) at third base and Valentine and Schrunk at shortstop.
Allison Vance, Kaylee Geniuk, Lee, Emma Vance, Bella Yatz (freshman) and Alain Goss (freshman) will be in competition for time in the outfield.
“Our biggest strength should be in our team speed and athleticism. We’ve got 4-5 kids that are very quick and can play multiple positions,” Walker said. “We’re going to have to make improvements in our defense from last season and take advantage of scoring opportunities.”
Reeds Spring will travel to Hillcrest for a jamboree on Aug. 19 with the host Hornets, Halfway and Norwood. The Lady Wolves open the regular season on Aug. 27 at the Halfway Tournament.
“I really think this team is capable of 15 wins or more,” Walker said. “The Big 8 is always loaded with talent, so finishing in the top half of the conference is possible.”
