Fall 2019 Preview: Seymour Softball

By Chris Parker

Seymour softball has a new head coach in Will Austin this season. Austin will be tasked with turning around a Lady Tiger Softball program that won just one game in 2018.

The Lady Tigers have a good example of what it takes to make a big turnaround right in their own school. The baseball team won its first district title and made its first Final Four appearance this past fall. As recently as 2014, that team won just six games.

“Most of our team went to the Final Four. Our girls loved the atmosphere and I think they enjoyed seeing the town rally around our boys,” Austin said.

Austin will employ two pitchers in seniors Reghan Matlock and Amy Herion.

“(Matlock) is a hard worker. She hits her spots and doesn’t walk many. She has added a couple of pitches and some velocity,” Austin said. “(Herion) can throw a number of pitches and can get outs in bunches.”

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When not pitching, Herion will see time at second base with Herion player second base and catcher. The rest of the infield will likely have Hayley Clark (senior first base), Hailey Felton (sophomore first base/second base), Lillie Rasmsussen (freshman utility), Libby Buchanan (senior utility) and Crystal Misemer (junior catcher/shortstop).

Clark, Herion and Matlock could also see time in the outfield along with Karli Henry (junior), Rylea Owens (senior) and Kaytlyn Jones (senior).

Defense will be a strength for the Lady Tigers with more consistency at the plate being an area they hope to improve upon.

“I think our defense should be solid this year. In the spring season we had too many errors and struggled to overcome all the unearned runs,” Austin said. “We need to be more consistent with the bats. At times we struggled to string hits together this past year.”

Some teams may overlook Seymour after the Lady Tigers won just one game last year, but inside the locker roomer there are expectations for a strong season.

“Outside of our program I don’t think there are very high expectations. Inside our program there is a lot of optimism and I’m expecting to have a good season. We are going to work hard every day and do things the right way and then winning should take care of itself,” Austin said.

Seymour will travel to Norwood on Aug. 26 for a jamboree before opening the regular season on Aug. 30-31 at the Buffalo Tournament.