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Cannon Crompton/sports@cherokeescout.com Kinleigh Queen working on pitching during an indoor practice on March 6.
Andrews – The Lady Wildcats softball team looks to improve this season under newly hired head coach Regan Holder.
The Cherokee Scout spoke with Holder about what the team will work on this season, and how players will improve under their new leadership.
Q: What are some of the goals for the team this season?
A: “My goal for this season is to get all the mechanics right and to build their confidence. I feel like they haven’t really had structure as a team, and I want them to get their confidence up and win more ball games than they did last year and continue to build off that.”
Q: What will the team work on to achieve those goals?
A: “Definitely pitching and outfield work. I feel like they’ve been all over the place and not really had set positions, but making sure each person is working toward a specific position. I was a pitcher in college, so I really want to focus on building more pitchers for the team.”
Q: What are some things that the team will build off of from last season?
A: “I wasn’t here last year, so this is my first year here, but I know they only won the first game and the last game. We have more people than we did last year, so really building off the younger players and building a team for the long run instead of setting up for a single season.”
Q: Who are players that you think will stand out this season?
A: “Kinleigh [Queen] is really going to stand out as a pitcher. She was previously a catcher and hasn’t pitched since her eighth-grade year, but she has been working at it full time since June and is going to be our starting pitcher for most of the year.
“Chanteah [Rattler] is going to make a lot of good plays in the infield. Her glove is pretty phenomenal and is an all around good athlete. Kaiya [Ellis] is a very good utility player, so I look forward to seeing what I’m going to do with her and where. And also Hannah [Talkington], she’s a good all around player and she’s willing to play anywhere.”
Q: Are there any games that stand out to you on the schedule?
A: “I’m actually looking forward to the non-conference games. We’re playing (Copper) Basin, which is where I’m from and then Tellico (Plains) as a doubleheader. Tellico always has a pretty good program and I want to challenge the girls and I also think Robbinsville will be a definite challenge for us. I know the coaches at Robbinsville, and I really want to push the players to compete and possibly win.”
Q: What will y’all do to prepare for the first game of the season?
A: “We’ve been working a lot on our pitching, like constantly because going from not having a pitcher to Kenleigh stepping up and really working on getting her pitches where they need to be. Then getting our bats ready because the weather has not been on our side and me stepping in late has not helped us at all. I’ve been throwing a lot to them to get their bats ready.”
The Lady Wildcats’ softball team will play their first game Thursday at home against Hayesville. First pitch is at 4:30 p.m.