By Chris Parker
Clever softball will have several key spots to fill with just four of nine starters returning from last season.
The four returning starters include Karli Hedge (shortstop), Piper Steele (catcher), Bailey Gaulding (left field) and Autumn Thrasher (centerfield).
Head coach Cheryl Grant identified Hedge and Steele as team leaders.
“Both have tremendous softball IQ, great work ethic and always support the younger players to reach their full potential,” Grant said.
Steele earned second-team all-conference honors as a catcher last season. She hit .424 with a 1.30 OPS including nine doubles and a team-high 29 RBI.
Thrasher was also a second-team all-conference selection earning her spot in the outfield. She hit .290 with 21 runs scored last season.
Steele will serve as the primary catcher with Grace Jackson and Savannah Cheney both capable of seeing time at the position as well.
Ava Mittag will be the team’s No. 1 option at pitcher in her sophomore season with freshman Kaitlyn Butts serving as the No. 2.
Around the infield expect to see Macee King (freshman) or Cheney at first base, DeShaya Downum (senior) at second base, Hedge at shortstop and Jackson or Butts at third base.
Gaulding and Thrasher will be in left and center in the outfield with Jailyn Countryman (sophomore), King and Butts candidates for the third spot.
“We are young, expect the team to improve throughout the season and be ready to compete at districts and postseason play,” Grant said. “We will be competitive in our conference and play hard all season.”
Clever opens the season Mar. 16 at the Strafford Tournament.
“We look to see big gains in our hitting program from last year,” Grant said. “We are young, but we have some ladies that bring great experience. Several of our girls play travel ball and have gone to several camps to get ready for this season. We were unhappy with how our season ended last year and are hungry to improve that this year.”
