Area softball squads aim to elevate in 2019 season
The 2019 high school softball season is upon us, with Feb. 18 marking the first day of competition for the 280 Living coverage area teams. Spain Park, Oak Mountain and Chelsea have their sights set on a return to the state tournament, while Briarwood is on the rise in Class 5A.
SEGRETO BUILDING PROGRAM
Ashley Segreto is not shy about her vision for the Briarwood softball program.
“We want to get back to being a [Class] 5A softball powerhouse,” the second-year head coach said.
In Segreto’s first year, the Lions showed positive signs and were a win away from advancing to the regional tournament. Following the season, the Lions graduated three key seniors in Riley Coyne, Daryl Deeter and Anna Donohue. There are several key returners, led by catcher Taylor Wheat, who will be the Lions’ lone senior this spring.
Segreto’s hope for the Lions is that the program continues its growth in 2019. There are tangible signs of that, with the program adding a junior varsity team for the first time in several years.
“We want our girls to strive for excellence, to win games, tournament and championships, but that is not what defines us,” Segreto said. “We strive to teach our athletes that although the world says differently, your identity is in Christ.”
HORNETS BUILD ON TOURNEY RUN
Chelsea made another Class 6A state tournament run in 2018 and has several players returning in hopes of doing it once more in 2019. Starting pitcher Sarah Cespedes is now at UAB, and left fielder Morgan Seay also graduated. But the Hornets have eight players back that could be considered starters, including their entire infield from a season ago.
Head coach Heather Lee is entering her fourth year at Chelsea, meaning this year’s senior class of Skylar Baker, Chloe Eidson, Rachel Moore, Lexi Serio and Camryn Smith is the first one she has coached for the duration of their high school careers.
Abigail Bryars joined Cespedes as the main pitchers last spring. Catcher Brooke Burback, Karson Rich and Ingram Holt are among the returning contributors as well.
“I don’t know what our story is going to be, but I think it’s going to be a good one,” Lee said. “I feel like this group we have is pretty special.”
EAGLES RELOAD AFTER STATE
Coming off its first state tournament appearance since 2002, many expect Oak Mountain to take a step back after the departure of four seniors that carried much of the load. But head coach Kaitlin Griffin is not allowing her team to buy into that notion.
“This group will have to prove themselves and not allow people to think last year was a fluke,” Griffin said. “We got over the hump last year, and now the goal will be to continue with that same drive.”
The Eagles’ offense likely won’t be as prolific as it has been over the past few years, so the team’s ability to be well-rounded with pitching and defense will be key.
The two seniors for the Eagles this year are pitcher/second baseman Clara Fuller and first baseman M’Kiyah Mitchell. Both will make impacts on the diamond, and Griffin said the duo has “done amazing things for this program.”
“We all came here together with one thing in mind, and that was to build this program to what I believe it could be,” Griffin said.
Abi Brown will split time at shortstop and behind the plate, with sophomore pitcher Lacy Marty back as well. Also expected to make impacts are outfielders Riley Sullivan, Dawn Autry, Hannah Atwood, Julia Tucker and infielders Grace Hummel and Emily Hart.
JAGS AIM FOR GREAT SEASON
The Spain Park softball program has become a regular at the Class 7A state tournament, and the Jags have performed very well in recent trips to Montgomery, including top three finishes in each of the last three years.
This year’s version of the Jags will look nearly identical to the team that took the field last year, since the 2018 team had no seniors. Now, Spain Park has five seniors: outfielder Maddie Majors, first baseman Caroline Wooley, pitcher Kate Campbell, outfielder Caroline Kendrick and middle infielder Bailey Bowers.
Annabelle Widra and Campbell combined to throw the majority of the team’s innings and contributed to the team’s success at the plate as well, and both return this spring. Widra is entering her fourth year on the varsity team, despite just being a sophomore.
Lindsay Parker returns as the team’s starting catcher along with Alexis Anderson, who manned third base last season. In the outfield, Taylor Harrington and Mackenzie Thompson saw significant action last year as well. Joining that mix this year is Lydia Coleman, a speedy outfielder who transferred from Briarwood.
Spain Park has a unique set of games on the schedule, as the Jags will play in three major college stadiums during the season: UAB, Alabama and Auburn.