* Robbinsville softball season preview
Loaded.
What else can you say about a Robbinsville softball team that will fill out a lineup card with eight seniors at its disposal? After spending years and years on the brink of a state title run, the Lady Knights have progressively cultivated a deep talent pool, rabid fanbase and consistency in the dugout.
This year, it’s time to wash out the bad taste of a first-round playoff loss last season and get down to business. There’s a championship to obtain.
“We just ran into a good pitcher. She was having a great day,” Robbinsville manager Billy Knight said. “One of the things that affected that was we did not have a non-conference schedule (due to the COVID-19 pandemic). We had not seen anyone like her.
“I went out and bought a pitching machine – to simulate pitchers like her – but also, we’re back to playing our A.C. Reynolds and Enkas. So we’ll see the kind of pitching we need to see to be successful.”
“Successful” is something that should come easy. Halee Anderson, Ally Ayers, Aynsley Fink, Patience Frapp, Sarah Gibby, Ivy Odom, Baylee Parham and Brook Turpin comprise the Lady Knights’ senior contributions. Knight was quick to tout what each brings to the table.
“Halee is as good a player as I’ve ever coached,” he said. “She has a good arm and had a pretty good year hitting the ball last year.
“Ally is going to shock a lot of fans. Her ceiling is crazy high. She has unbelievable power.
“Aynsley is an extremely talented girl, with a lot of speed and ability. If she puts it all together, she’s definitely an All Conference-caliber player. Patience is really attacking the ball, for the first time since she’s been here. You’re going to see a different hitter than what she’s been in the past.
“Sarah has worked really hard to make herself a good hitter. I expect her to either be the designated hitter or for sure a pinch hitter, but she’ll probably start the year at the DH role. Ivy has made that jump to being someone that absolutely smashes the ball when she hits it. She’s hitting some tape-measure shots for us in BP (batting practice).
“The biggest thing I can say about Baylee is that she’s a good teammate. She makes everybody better and that plays a big part in how much chemistry we have. Brook is a slapper and has great speed. She has amazing speed and passion for the game.”
And that’s just the seniors. Memory Frapp will be the No. 1 starter inside the circle. Frapp threw two no-hitters in her freshman campaign.
“We’re talking about a Player of the Year candidate,” Knight said.
Another sophomore, Zoie Shuler, has made the infield move from second base to shortstop.
“She has blazing speed and is a heck of a softball player,” Knight said. “Zoie is another girl who could easily be the Player of the Year.”
Behind the plate will be freshman Liz Carpenter. She is filling the role left behind by Maggie Knight, who is playing college softball at Chattanooga State.
“We’re really high on Liz,” coach Knight said. “She has a good arm and a strong bat.”
It’s really no wonder Knight’s optimism is so high for his Lady Knights.
“I really like our team chemistry and that can take us a long way,” he said. “In the conference, it’s one of those years where I believe we’re right at the top of the conference. But, as always, win the conference, win the region, win state. That’s always been our goal.”
The Lady Knights welcome T.C. Roberson for the home opener Friday.