Local high school softball teams launch 2023 campaigns
The 2023 high school softball schedule begins this week so BartowSportsZone.com asked the local head coaches for some insight into the upcoming season.
ADAIRSVILLE TIGERS
Justin Evans takes over as a first year head coach at the high school level following eight years coaching middle school teams at Red Bud Middle School, Woodland Middle School, and Rome Middle School. He is a graduate of Adairsville High School.
Evans also has experience as a girls’ soccer, girls’ basketball, and baseball coach.
How many returning starters?
Since it is my first season, all of my players have a clean slate. I really cannot tell you who was a starter last season and who wasn't. The last coaching regime platooned many players, so I have a lot of girls who have experience.
Total number of girls in your varsity and JV program this year. Is that number up or down?
I have a total of 18 girls on the roster. With me coming in and starting the building process of the program, we are only focused on varsity as of now. I am putting much emphasis on our middle school program this season and moving forward because the middle school is going to be vital to feed players into our program.
Your top pitcher(s) for the 2023 season and what makes each effective.
We have two pitchers that are going to be important for our success this season. The first is senior Chelsea Bates. She throws hard and works hard on the mound. This season will be vital for her to push through some obstacles that she has had in the past and overcome the challenges that will come her way. Our other pitcher is junior Jordan Clay. Clay has a lot of spin and has a lot of confidence on the mound. She is a rock emotionally when on the mound which will be vital when we hit region play.
Your top hitters for the 2023 season and their top offensive skills
I think our bright spot this season will be our offense. McKenzie Pullam (senior), Chelsea Bates (senior), and Brie Patterson (junior) will be our heavy hitters this season. These girls have a ton of power and really put on a show during batting practice over the summer. Taylor Evans (junior) will be relied on a lot to be aggressive to get on base in front of those hitters. Riley Mounger (junior) will be relied on to do it all. To get on base and swipe some as well. She has the right amount of hitting ability and quickness to be dangerous.
Who do you expect to be the best teams in your region this year?
Region 6-AAA is a tough region. I think Gordon Lee is the clear-cut favorite in the region. Just look at their history and you'll understand why. I have had the opportunity to play their middle school program over the last 2 seasons and they are going to keep reloading. Bremen will be another tough opponent as well. They have been to Columbus in the last few years and having to make that trip down to Bremen is never an easy one. I have coached teams against Lafayette and LFO in middle school ball over the years, and based on the development of their players, I expect those programs to be stout as well.
SCHEDULE
Aug 4 — at Cedartown
Aug 7 — at Paulding Co.
Aug 8 — at Woodland
Aug 10 — CASS
Aug 12 — Dalton Tournament
Aug 14 — CEDARTOWN
Aug 15 — ARMUCHEE
Aug 17 — SONORAVILLE
Aug 22 — at Bremen (DH) *
Aug 24 — at Ringgold *
Aug 28 — at Sonoraville
Aug 30 — at Armuchee
Aug 31 — LAFAYETTE *
Sept 6 — at Ridgeland *
Sept 7 — at LFO *
Sept 12 — at Gordon Lee *
Sept 14 — COAHULLA CREEK *
Sept 18 — CARTERSVILLE
Sept 21 — RINGGOLD *
Sept 26 — RIDGELAND *
Sept 28 — at LaFayette *
Oct 3 — LFO *
Oct 5 — GORDON LEE *
Oct 10 — at Coahulla Creek *
* Region 6-AAA opponent
CARTERSVILLE HURRICANES
Glen Woodard begins his third season leading the Lady Canes. He has been a high school head coach for 15 years, a high school assistant for two years, and coached at the collegiate level at Lincoln Memorial University and Lee University. His high school coaching experience includes stints at LaFayette, Silverdale Baptist, and Boyd Buchanan. Woodard has also served as a soccer assistant coach.
How many returning starters?
Four returning starters.
Total number of girls in your varsity and JV program this year. Is that number up or down?
Our numbers are up. We have 19 total players on the roster this year.
Your top pitcher(s) for the 2023 season and what makes each effective.
Kennedy Stevens will return for us in the circle this year. She spins the ball really well and keeps hitters off balance.
Your top hitters for the 2023 season and their top offensive skills
Jordan Bishop, Erin McCrary, and Layne Callan return and will lead us offensively.
Who do you expect to be the best teams in your region this year?
Calhoun, Woodland and Cass will challenge for the top 4 spots in the region.
SCHEDULE
Aug 4 — at Murray Co.
Aug 5 — Cass Tournament at Hamilton Crossing Park
Aug 7 — at Northwest Whitfield
Aug 8 — at Pickens
Aug 9 — at Ridgeland
Aug 15 — at Hiram *
Aug 17 — DALTON *
Aug 21 — at Sonoraville
Aug 22 — at Woodland *
Aug 24 — at Cass *
Aug 29 — CALHOUN *
Aug 31 — CARROLLTON
Sept 5 — HIRAM *
Sept 6 — NORTHWEST WHITFIELD
Sept 7 — at Dalton *
Sept 11 — SONORAVILLE
Sept 12 — WOODLAND *
Sept 14 — CASS *
Sept 18 — at Adairsville
Sept 19 — at Calhoun *
Sept 21 — at North Cobb
Sept 25 — at Hiram *
Sept 28 — DALTON *
Oct 3 — at Woodland *
Oct 5 — at Cass *
Oct 9 — SPRAYBERRY
Oct 10 — CALHOUN *
* Region 7-AAAAA opponent
CASS COLONELS
Taylor Washington heads into her sixth season as head coach of the Lady Colonels. The Adairsville High grad played at University of Pikeville and was a two-time Academic All-American at Reinhardt University. She spent one season as an assistant coach at Adairsville.
How many returning starters?
Six returning starters
Total number of girls in your varsity and JV program this year. Is that number up or down?
Our number is up by a couple of players this year. We have 16 total.
Your top pitcher(s) for the 2023 season and what makes each effective.
Bailey York has great athleticism. Emma Gibson has the ability to spin and locate and Lily Powell has nice length and the ability to locate.
Your top hitters for the 2023 season and their top offensive skills
Dariana Sosa has some nice power and is speedy on the bases.
Who do you expect to be the best teams in your region this year?
I really expect it to be extremely competitive from top to bottom just like it has been in the past.
SCHEDULE
Aug 4-5 — Colonel Back to School Bash at CHS & Hamilton Crossing Park
Aug 8 — at Riverwood
Aug 9 — GILMER
Aug 10 — at Adairsville
Aug 15 — at Dalton *
Aug 16 — WHEELER
Aug 17 — CALHOUN *
Aug 22 — at Hiram *
Aug 24 — CARTERSVILLE *
Aug 29 — WOODLAND *
Aug 30 — at North Cobb Christian
Sept 2 — TRION
Sept 5 — DALTON *
Sept 7 — at Calhoun *
Sept 12 — HIRAM *
Sept 14 — at Cartersville *
Sept 15 — at Gilmer
Sept 19 — at Woodland *
Sept 20 — ROME
Sept 21 — KENNESAW MOUNTAIN
Sept 23 — at Trion
Sept 26 — at Dalton *
Sept 28 — CALHOUN *
Oct 3 — at Hiram *
Oct 5 — CARTERSVILLE *
Oct 10 — WOODLAND *
* Region 7-AAAAA opponent
WOODLAND WILDCATS
Todd Eubanks enters his second year as the head coach of the Lady Cats and his sixth season as a head softball coach. Primarily a baseball coach over the years, Eubanks’ coaching career has taken him to Southeast Whitfield, Heard County, Landmark Christian, Cass, and South Effingham prior to Woodland.
How many returning starters?
Nine returning starters
Total number of girls in your varsity and JV program this year. Is that number up or down?
Our total number is up. We have 25 players in the high school.
Your top pitcher(s) for the 2023 season and what makes each effective.
Sophomore right-hander Haley Collum continues developing velocity and command of the strike zone. Senior Peyton Dorn is a left-hander with the ability to spin a variety of pitches and keep batters off stride.
Your top hitters for the 2023 season and their top offensive skills
Sophomore third baseman Kamryn Smith can hit for power and average. She led the team in home runs as a freshman and was a First Team All Region selection. Junior centerfielder Jordan Hammonds is a slap hitter with plenty of speed. Hammonds was also a First Team All Region selection in 2022.
Who do you expect to be the best teams in your region this year?
Calhoun, Woodland, Cartersville, Cass
SCHEDULE
Aug 5 — WHEELER
Aug 7 — at Southeast Whitfield
Aug 8 — ADAIRSVILLE
Aug 11 — v. Model at Dalton Invitational
Aug 11 — v. Chattooga at Dalton Invitational
Aug 12 — v. Coahulla Creek at Dalton Invitational
Aug 12 — v. Adairsville at Dalton Invitational
Aug 14 — SOUTHEAST WHITFIELD
Aug 15 — at Calhoun *
Aug 16 — at Pace Academy
Aug 17 — HIRAM *
Aug 22 — CARTERSVILLE *
Aug 24 — DALTON *
Aug 26 — at Wheeler
Aug 29 — at Cass *
Aug 30 — at Northwest Whitfield
Sept 5 — CALHOUN *
Sept 7 — at Hiram *
Sept 8 — v. Rockmart at Carrollton Tourney
Sept 8 — at Hillgrove
Sept 12 — at Cartersville *
Sept 14 — at Dalton *
Sept 19 — CASS *
Sept 21 — HIRAM *
Sept 23 — at Mary Persons
Sept 23 — TBA
Sept 26 — at Calhoun *
Oct 3 — CARTERSVILLE *
Oct 5 — DALTON *
Oct 10 — at Cass *
* Region 7-AAAAA opponent
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