By Chris Parker
Hermitage softball had a lot of turnover going into the 2018 season, which led to an overall record of 9-14. This year, the Lady Hornets again must replace quality contributors with the graduation of the team’s top three hitters and pitcher graduating from the 2018 squad.
“We will be a very young team with several freshmen and sophomores starting in key positions. We have to find new pitching and new girls to step up and assume leadership roles,” Hermitage head coach Shane Salmon said.
The pitching duties will fall to Shekainah Andres. The junior was the junior varsity pitcher last season, and she has shown off-season improvement ahead of taking the full-time varsity job.
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Chelsi Horn (sophomore – first/third base), Grace Newman (freshman – first/third base), Taylor Copeland (freshman – second base) and Paris Yates (sophomore – shortstop) are likely to fill out the infield. Lily Hart (junior), Megan Nickerson (freshman), Madi Moore (sophomore) and Santana Simmons (senior) are all candidates to start in the outfield.
“I think we will be competitive in most games and if our younger players improve quickly we could be a tough team later in the year,” Salmon said.
The Lady Hornets will host Fair Play and Wheatland for a jamboree on Aug. 29 before opening the regular season on Sept. 3 at Morrisville.
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