By Chris Parker
Pleasant Hope softball is looking to bounce back from the program’s first losing season since the 2013 fall campaign.
“Last season was a struggle, all the way around,” Pleasant Hope head coach Kevin McVey said. “We were low on players, and young at most positions. We lost our starting catcher the first week of the season, which forced us to move players around on the infield. We never seemed to get comfortable, and errors cost us a lot of games. We struggled to hit the ball as well, which prevented us from scoring many runs. Both of those put a lot of pressure on our pitching, and the team as a whole. We did end on a positive note, beating Stockton and Fair Grove in the district tournament to reach the final. We fell to eventual state runner-up Skyline, but it felt good to end the season with a little momentum.”
Five starters return from last year led by senior pitcher Jaylin Miner and senior shortstop Kylie Tucker. Miner was named second-team all-conference and first-team all-district after she threw all but three innings last season. At the plate, Miner hit .448 with 33 runs scored. Tucker, a second-team all-conference selection, hit .324 with 19 RBI.
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Miner will again handle most of the pitching duties, but a couple of freshmen will fill innings in the circle.
Senior three-year starter Rebeckah Webb will move from left field to center field. Junior Mackenzie Hamilton will be in right field. Sophomore Jessica Orum will play second base. Classmate Tyelynn Hochhalter will look to start in left field. Freshman Maddyson Alexander could see playing time all over the outfield as well as at pitcher. Junior Sophia Pearson, sophomore Morgan Bannister and freshman Loraine Arciniegas will be pushing for varsity playing time.
Freshman Jordyn Miner will take over at third place for injured Haley Wilson. Wilson will miss most of the season. First-year senior Rylee Craver and freshman Gracie Pulley will play first base. Freshman Addison Rogers and sophomore Paige Cole will handle catching duties. Freshman Bonnie Chapman should be on the infield and see time pitching.
Pleasant Hope will open the season Mar. 20 at home against Buffalo.
“I really feel like we have a chance to be very good,” McVey said. “The chance to compete for another district title, as well advance in the playoffs is part of our team goals this season. Along with my new assistant coach Elizabeth “Lizzy” McClintock, and the senior leadership we have, I am very excited about the potential this team has and how good they can be. Getting everyone to be all In, doing whatever it takes to help each other, and the team, to be the best they can.”
