By Chris Parker
Hermitage will be led by a group of three juniors this year, as the Lady Hornets look to improve on last season’s 5-18 finish.
The junior trio includes Paris Yates (shortstop/centerfield), Chelsi Horn (shortstop/first base/pitcher) and Sara Webb (catcher). Yates earned first-team all-conference honors last season. Horn was named second-team all-conference.
Yates hit .439 with 22 runs scored. Horn drove in 22 runs with a .308 batting average. Webb was an on-base machine walking 22 times and stealing 10 bases and scoring 24 runs.
Joining Horn in the circle pitching will be freshman Izzy Sabala.
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The infield will feature Grace Newman (sophomore third base), Taylor Copeland (second base) and Hannah Wilhite (junior first base).
In the outfield, Madi Moore (junior left field) and Megan Nickerson (sophomore right field) will be the key players.
Head coach Shane Salmon will seek consistency with his girls.
“We need to get to the level that we can play the same high level day after day and this is done by putting forth a consistent effort at all practices,” Salmon said.
Hermitage opens the season Aug. 28-29 at the Humansville Tournament.
“We will be much improved and look forward to competing with the other good teams in our area,” Salmon said. “The team is excited to get a chance to play and hopefully all the area teams can remain healthy and softball can add a little fun to what has been and will continue to be a tough period in all of our current lives.”
