By Chris Parker
Norwood softball is poised for a big 2024 with eight starters returning from last season’s 15-10 team. Six of those players earned some form of postseason honor last season.
“We finished 15-10 last fall with a second-place finish in our Class 1 district,” Norwood head coach Lori Drake said. “Our fall schedule is tough, so maintaining an above .500 record is always something we list in our goals. We also always strive to win a district championship. Our tradition is strong here, and postseason runs are always a goal. We played our conference games in the spring (11-2 record) and shared the Summit Conference title with Sparta. We will be a top contender for the conference title again in spring 2025.”
The seniors this year are four-year starters Autumn Gunter and Kinley Sinning along with three-year starters Natalee Lawson and Katelynn Bennett. Gunter was all-district and all-conference after she hit .239 with a .388 on-base percentage. Sinning was all-district on the strength of a .307 batting average with 15 RBI and 16 runs scored. Bennett was all-conference and hit .271. Lawson added 13 hits on the way to a .236 batting average.
Junior Maddie Campbell will be in the circle pitching with classmate Jayden Chambers behind the plate at catcher. Both were all-region and all-conference selections last season. Campbell threw 155.2 innings with 143 strikeouts and a 3.37 ERA last season. At the plate, Campbell hit .384 with 22 runs scored. Chambers hit .375 with a .447 on-base percentage and .936 OPS. She was a force on the basepaths with 19 stolen bases and 21 runs scored.
The infield will feature a mixture of Gunter, Bennett, Gentry Davault, Gracelynn Miller, Addie Smith and Jaycee Hall. Davualt was named all-district after she hit .310 with four doubles and 15 RBI.
Look for a combination of Sinning, Lawson, Clarisa Passot, Lydia Harden and Mayci Calhoun in the outfield.
“We have an experienced team, but will be blending in some new faces in fielding positions, pinch hitting and base running,” Drake said.
Norwood opens the regular season Aug. 30-31 at the Halfway Tournament.
