Is this the season that Caldwell County crashes the Big Three Party in the 2nd Region?
The Lady Tiger softball program has been closing the gap on Henderson County, Christian County and Madisonville-North Hopkins, but enters 2023 ranked just behind those perennial powers.
Caldwell’s girls were 16-13 last season, but fell to Madisonville in the 7th District championship game then came up a bit short against Christian County in the regional semifinals.
The Lady Tigers will face those same obstacles in the district and the region again this year as they look to win their first district and regional championships since 2002.
But Caldwell appears to have the talent to make a run at the Big Three.
The Lady Tigers hit .352 as a team last year and set a program record with 27 home runs.
The team graduated just one senior a year ago — pitcher Illysa Stallins.
Caldwell’s pitching will be young this season. But freshman Jackie Farmer saw action in 13 games last year when Stallins was injured and went 6-6 with a save and a 5.54 earned run average. Meanwhile, eighth grader Alexis Wood appeared in only three games, but seems poised to take on the majority of the pitching duties this season.
Wood can also swing the bat, and could emerge as another key offensive weapon for Caldwell.
Most of the Lady Tiger defense returns from a year ago, giving Caldwell some security in that department.
Senior centerfielder A.J. Hollowell is back after leading the team with a .474 batting average in 2022. She is probably the Lady Tigers’ best defensive player.
Caldwell’s infielders combined for 23 home runs last season.
Sophomore second baseman Harper Holeman hit .382 with a school-record 11 home runs and 34 runs batted in.
Junior shortstop Alicia Stanley batted .419 with nine homers, a team-high 13 doubles and 33 RBIs.
Sophomore third baseman Brylee Butts was a .400 hitter with three dingers while knocking in 34.
Senior Presley McKinney starts at first base after hitting .250 last season.
Another senior, Laney Jones, starts behind the plate. The Midway University signee batted .296 last season.
Caldwell will have to get the bat of freshman Adley Lewis in the lineup somewhere. She hit .416 last season with three homers and 26 RBIs.
In the outfield, senior Kenzie McConnell and freshman Grace Watson move into starting spots in left and right, respectively.
Sophomore Maci Tyler got starting experience in right field last season.
Caldwell has some good younger talent on the squad as well, including speedy eighth graders Daelen Kizzee and Tink Clark.
The Lady Tigers also have their eyes on a trip to the state All A Classic in Owensboro. The regional All A tournament is set for mid-April. Livingston Central and Lyon County could be Caldwell’s biggest challengers in the “small-school” event.
The Lady Tigers have huge hopes for the 2023 season, but life in the strong 2nd Region continues to make things challenging.
