The Caldwell County Lady Tigers continue to try to scale the mountain that is Madisonville-North Hopkins in the 7th District.
Caldwell’s girls came close last year. After splitting regular-season matchups with the Lady Maroons, the Lady Tigers battled Madisonville into extra innings in the championship game. However, Madisonville prevailed 2-1, mainly because centerfielder Zoe Davis robbed Caldwell of a three-run home run in the top of the seventh inning.
The Lady Tiger softball team continues the climb this season, but has closed the gap. Still, Caldwell enters the 2022 season ranked fifth in the 2nd Region — Madisonville is second.
Caldwell figures to be able to hold its own against most teams this season despite a youthful — although experienced in many areas — team.
Pitcher Illysa Stallins is back as the Lady Tigers’ primary hurler, and is the only senior on the squad.
She was 12-12 last year as Caldwell went 14-15. Stallins had an earned run average of 6.97 but gave the Lady Tigers a chance to win most games.
Caldwell has some other good arms on the team but all are young and untested on the varsity level. They include eighth graders Jackie Farmer and Adley Lewis along with seventh grader Alexis Wood.
Offensively, Caldwell batted .395 as a team last year and averaged over 8.5 runs a contest. Despite some significant losses to graduation, the Lady Tigers should be able to generate offense this season.
Junior A.J. Hollowell hit an even .500 in 2021 with 49 base hits in 98 at-bats. She also drove in 24. Hollowell takes over in centerfield this season after the graduation of her sister Majah.
Caldwell has three other players who hit over .400 a year ago — and all are freshmen.
Rylee Thompson is back in right field after hitting .430.
Brylee Butts batted .425 and was second on the team with 26 runs batted in. She played third base last year but could also move over to shortstop, if needed.
Harper Holeman could have found a home at second base after hitting .412 last season.
Meanwhile, junior Presley McKinney will have to play somewhere on the infield after hitting .314 a year ago.
Sophomore Alicia Stanley was the starting catcher last season and hit .286. Stanley could also end up at shortstop this season.
That would open the door for junior Laney Jones to take over behind the plate.
Junior Lainey Frisch is vying for playing time at first base with sophomore Ella Beshear.
Junior Kenzie McConnell, sophomore Maci Tyler, Jones and eighth grader Grace Watson could all see time in the outfield.
Eighth graders Lainey Beshear and Lewis will both be pressing for playing time as well, with no shortage of talent in the younger grades for the Lady Tigers.
Caldwell will open the regular season on Monday with a trip to Union County.
The first home game is set for Thursday against Webster County.
YSE spoke this week with Lady Tiger head coach Seath Butts about the upcoming season.
