* Robbinsville softball season preview
Robbinsville – When you return both the Smoky Mountain Conference Pitcher and Player of the Year, you have to like your chances this season.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights have kept the divisional title in a stranglehold since 2018 and, bolstered by a roster that included eight seniors, posted a 20-3 record last year and reached the third round of the state 1A playoffs.
So yes, you have to fill a lot of gaps left by the departures. But to have Memory Frapp (97 2/3 innings, 13-3, 1.72 ERA, 108 strikeouts in 2022) and University of Tennessee commit Zoie Shuler (.554, seven doubles, triples – and homers – 22 stolen bases and 44 RBI) coming back for their junior seasons, to mix with a group of players eager to take advantage of chances for starting roles?
As head coach Billy Knight puts it, he is “cautiously optimistic” about how things will go this year.
“I don’t foresee us scoring tons of runs as we have the last few years,” Knight said. “We have been putting a lot of emphasis on pitching and defense. Luckily, we have the Pitcher of the Year and depth at that position. We have a very fast and athletic outfield – and potentially a solid infield – as well as an All Smoky Mountain Conference-caliber catcher.
“As far as goals, they will never change here: win the Smoky Mountain Conference; win the Western Region; and win state.”
Frapp and Shuler are definitely the most seasoned players on the lineup card, but they have somehow found ways to make more of an impression during preseason workouts.
“Frapp is killing the ball in practice, with ball exit speeds approaching 80 mph,” Knight said. “(She is) an explosive and dynamic player, whether she is pitching or hitting.
“Zoie is really coming into her own. She is significantly better this year than last – and she was pretty good last year. (It’s) not everyday folks in the Smoky Mountain Conference get to see an SEC (Southeastern Conference) player, but the fans in Robbinsville get to watch one every day.”
Knight could not say enough good things about sophomore catcher Liz Carpenter, who grew by leaps and bounds at the varsity level in 2022.
“She did not start the year last year hitting, but she sure did finish the year hitting,” Knight said. “She is a talent and we are expecting big things from her this season.”
In addition to returning players like junior Taelyr Jackson, and sophomores Abby Adams, Claire Barlow and Olivia Lewis – all of whom provide depth both across the infield and outfield – there are a pair of transfers: sophomore Naomi Taylor and freshman Suri Watty.
“They are both talented and hard-working players; plus an added bonus, both of them pitch,” Knight said.
Back on the softball diamond are seniors Kensley Phillips and Fala Welch. Phillips is a multi-sport athlete for Robbinsville, but did not play her junior season. After transferring from Cherokee, Welch suffered a knee injury before the season began last year and missed the majority of the campaign.
Phillips provides a nice bolster at the plate and an untold amount of speed to cover the outfield, while Welch will be competing with junior Aubrie Wachacha to fill a crucial spot on the infield.
“One of the first things I did when the season ended last year was talk to Kensley Phillips,” Knight said. “Kensley first and foremost is a competitor. The more of them you have on a team, the better. She is an incredible player, who was very good as a sophomore.
“The hardest position to fill will be first base. Losing Ivy Odom hurt. At this point, Ryn is the girl whom will get first the first crack at it, but Fala and Aubrie will push for that job. We are hoping that with the competition there, someone will emerge and take that spot.”
Junior Delaney Brooms – another multi-faceted athlete for Robbinsville – has also reported for duty, which is her first time on the field since middle school. Freshman Anna Williams also made the leap after a standout eighth-grade season.
“Anna is a very good player,” Knight said. “She is talented and fun to watch.”
Robbinsville will have the pleasure of playing on three different collegiate fields in a span of nine days this season: Mars Hill (Monday, April 3, against Madison); Western Carolina University (Monday, April 10, against A.C. Reynolds); and Young Harris College (Wednesday, April 12, pitted against Copper Basin, Tenn.).
In addition to conference play, Knight has lined up a visit to Cherryville today and Enka on Friday.
“We have a challenging schedule this year, but are excited about playing on three college fields,” Knight said.