By Chris Parker
Hillcrest softball could have as many as seven starters back from last season’s six-win team, but injuries to a couple key players might have the Hornets starting the season with just five returning starters.
Pitching has been hit the hardest by injury.
“Pitching is a position that has impacted the most by injuries,” Hillcrest head coach Michael Runnels said. “Both my pitchers from last year are dealing with serious injuries that will be difficult to come back from. I will look for senior Caylee Davis to get majority to the innings this year, but I will look for others to step up and eat some innings for me as well. Junior Mya Frillman and sophomore Caitlin Summers have been putting in work this summer to fill in for Davis to give the team some quality innings this fall. Another name to watch out for is freshman Hydee Pyle, she is one who I can see taking over for graduating Davis next year. I expect her to see some innings as well.”
Ish Martinez returns behind the plate at catcher.
“She (Martinez) was my starting catcher last year and did an outstanding job during her first year of full-time varsity play,” Runnels said. “This year I look for her to be even better. She is the type of kid that is always looking at ways to get better. Ish is that type of player that every coach dreams of. She is tougher than nails and never once have I heard her complain that she is catching a double header or in some cases three games during tournament play.”
Senior Renea Howell, junior Mya Frillman, and sophomores Catilin Summers, Ella Safely, and Mylie Bright will all compete for time on the infield. Also, look for newcomers sophomore Maddi Hendrix, freshman Hydee Pyle, and freshman Tati Martinez to compete for spots in the infield.
The outfield will feature a combination of Shelby Epperly (senior), Caylee Jasper (senior), Riley Barr (junior), Sydney Peck (junior), Caitlin Summers (sophomore) and Lydia Smith (sophomore).
Sophomore Camryn Summers will be a leader from the dugout while she recovers from injury.
“In addition to the names listed above I expect sophomore Camryn Summers to be a leader in the dugout and off the field,” Runnels said. “Unfortunately, we lost her due to injury. With her return in jeopardy this year, she will act as a student coach for me this fall in the hopes of a late season return. Camryn is someone who is passionate about everything she does. She strives to be the best and works to be the best. Her drive and work ethic will be missed this fall, but hopefully that drive she shows will wear off on those around her.”
Hillcrest has gotten good off-season commitment to the weight room from several players.
“I have had a group of kids that have really impressed me this off-season,” Runnels said. “I started a morning weights (program) three days a week back in January thinking that I would have one or two consistently show up. That number, to my surprise, was a lot more and that hard work has shown on the field. Those who routinely put in the work in the morning were Ish Martinez, Riley Barr, Caitlin Summers, Camryn Summers, Ella Safely and Mylie Bright.”
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF OUR FALL SPORTS PREVIEWS
That desire to improve will be a strength for Hillcrest softball this season.
“I think our biggest strength is having a group of kids who want to get better and compete day in and day out,” Runnels said. “I have a really good group who are willing to ask questions and learn from their mistakes.”
Runnels will look for his team to bounce back from mistakes quickly to avoid bad innings.
“We need to do a better job of limiting mistakes and not letting one mistake turn into two. Often times last year our games were decided in one bad inning. One mistake would turn into two and next thing we knew the game was out of hand. We need to be able to handle adversity that comes with the game of softball and understand that when a mistake happens, we need to do what we can do to avoid the next one,” Runnels said. “We also need to do a better job of putting balls in play and limiting strikeouts. We did a good job of finding ways on base last year but failed to push runs across due to high strike out numbers.”
Hillcrest will host a jamboree with Halfway, Norwood and Reeds Spring on Aug. 18. The Hornets will open the regular season on Aug. 25-26 at the Aurora Kick Off Classic.
“I have a great group of kids this year that I am extremely excited to work with. I had really good summer numbers and saw a lot of growth that will hopefully translate to good play on the field,” Runnels said. “If healthy I expect us to compete with anyone on our schedule. It’s just a matter of getting everyone recovered from some serious injuries that we were faced with this off season.”
