Coming off a record-setting year, expectations are high for the Trigg County Lady Wildcats in 2019. Those hopes are bolstered by the return of just about everyone from last year’s 22-14 team.
The 22 wins were the most in program history, but the season ended with a clunk as the Lady Wildcats fell 15-1 to Crittenden County in the district championship and a 12-2 loss to Christian County in the region tourney.
Senior pitcher Hannah Colbert, who won 17 games and struck out 307 batters in 201 innings, struggled with a shoulder injury in the final week of the season that limited her effectiveness. Colbert is healed, stronger, and ready to be a postseason factor.
Coach Toree McMain says sophomore Kara Southwood, who won five games last year, and 8th grader Kara Hyde could see some time in the circle in an attempt to get them experience and lighten Colbert’s load.
Helping the pitchers is the return of seven position players from last year. Third baseman Autumn Durham (.319, 17 RBIs) and shortstop Logan Darnall (.384, 11 RBIs) will anchor the left side of the infield for the second straight year. Durham has occupied the hot corner since middle school.
The right side isn’t as set. Sophomore Kara Southwood settled into the second base spot last year and hit .264 with 13 RBIs in her first season as a full-time starter. Sophomore T.T. Grubbs played second base as an 8th grader and returns after missing her freshman season with an ACL injury. McMain says Grubbs will see some time at second when Southwood pitches.
Senior Madison Simpson, who hit .336 with 22 RBIs, suffered an ACL injury in November and could miss the entire season. She is hopeful to return to the diamond by the postseason. Sophomore Adri Phillips (.400, 19 RBIs) worked her way into the lineup last year because of her bat. She will likely see considerable time at first base along with seventh grader Rylee Hendricks, who will also see time in the lineup because of her bat.
Eighth grader Alyssa Southwood (.429, 6 RBIs), sophomore Phelan Dossett (.220, 10 RBIs), and junior Abby Terrell should see time in the outfield along with Hendricks and junior Maggie Snodgrass (.310, 6 RBIs).
Senior Julia Rhone (.250, 13 RBIs) could also prove to play the outfield and first base if needed.
Senior Ashlyn Keller has shown considerable improvement, capped off by signing to play at Brescia University. Both her offense and defense have taken a step up, which could give Colbert, who led the team with five home runs and hit .368, some protection in the middle of the lineup.
Trigg County hit just under .300 as a team last year and with everyone back, McMain thinks the Lady Wildcats will be able to produce more runs in 2019.
“I’m looking forward to our hitting because in previous years, we have struggled to produce runs. This year, I think we have a group of kids that are going to be able to hit from top to bottom,” she said.
The Lady Wildcats have four tournaments on their schedule, including a trip to Pigeon Forge during spring break, the Marshall County Slugfest, the Franklin-Simpson Lady Cat Classic, and their own Trigg County Invitational.
Trigg County’s schedule also includes the preseason top-ranked teams in Region 1 (Marshall County), Region 2 (Christian County), and Region 4 (Warren East). The Lady Wildcats open their season Tuesday, March 19 at Stewart County, Tenn.
