Robbinsville softball begins 2021 campaign Tuesday
Robbinsville – The 2019 1A Western Regional runner-up started its next season with a 13-4 road victory at Copper Basin, Tenn., on March 9, 2020.
Five days later, a global pandemic squashed the Robbinsville Lady Knights’ hopes of another lengthy playoff run. Two seniors were robbed of one last hurrah, and the Knights learned a hard lesson of life: take nothing for granted.
“I really hate it for the girls,” Robbinsville skipper Billy Knight said. “When you consider the amount of work that they put in – and then to not be able to reap the benefits of their labor – is frustrating. Especially for the two seniors – Jensen Carver and Gracye Burchfield – to have your season end the way it did was devastating.
“We all learned a valuable lesson, that nothing is guaranteed and you better appreciate the time you do have and play every day like it may be your last.”
But today, the wait is over.
For the first time since May 2019, the Lady Knights will play a softball game on Judy Nichols Memorial Field, welcoming the T.C. Roberson Lady Rams for a 4 p.m. scrimmage. The abbreviated 2021 season kicks off with a 4:30 p.m. road game Tuesday at Hiwassee Dam.
“I don’t think I have ever seen a group more excited to step back on our field!” Knight said. “Softball games at Robbinsville are different than anywhere I have ever been. Our crowd and the students who park their trucks behind our fence are unbelievable. What girl doesn’t want to play in that atmosphere?”
A strong group returns for the Knights, including three seniors – Sydney Farley, Gabby Hooper and Maggie Knight. The latter pair have signed respective college scholarships with Brevard and Chattanooga (Tenn.) State, while Farley will be the elder member of the pitching staff.
“This group knows what it takes to win,” coach Knight said. “All three have started since they were freshmen. The biggest thing they understand is that with a short season, we have to practice and play with a sense of urgency. Their leadership is essential for our preparation. We have to hit the ground running. With only the top two teams guaranteed a playoff berth, the margin for error is slim.”
Filling out the rotation are siblings Patience (a junior) and Memory (a freshman) Frapp. Also back for the Lady Knights are juniors Halee Anderson, Ally Ayers, Aynsley Fink, Sarah Gibby and Brooke Turpin.
In addition to Memory Frapp, another newcomer to the varsity roster is freshman Zoie Shuler, while sophomores Kensley Phillips and Abbi Sawyer are also back. With all the talent at his disposal, Coach Knight is understandably optimistic about the year.
“If this team does not have success, it is my fault,” coach Knight said. “We have high-level players at every single position and quite a bit of depth.
“As far as the conference is concerned, it is kind of strange, as there are two classes of girls on teams that we have never seen. I honestly feel like we are the favorites in the Smoky Mountain Conference, but there is some uncertainty about what other teams have added. We have established a mindset of not getting caught up in who our opponent is, but in just playing the game at a level of excellence that we expect. If we can play to those standards, then winning will take care of itself.
“We feel like we are one of the top programs in the state and if that is indeed the case, then we are gonna compete for regional and state titles.
“Six starters from the 2019 team that were one strike away from a state championship appearance are on this team; why not us?”