Whiteoak Softball Preview: Lady 'Cats want to compete in SHAC
The look of the Whiteoak Lady Wildcats will be a lot different this season as they no longer have the services of four-year starting pitcher, school strikeout leader and All-Ohio selection Kiley Sosby in the circle this season due to graduation.
That said, the show must go on, and the Lady ’Cats are doing so this season with a roster who did gain valuable experience during the WHS run to the regional tournament last season.
This season, the Lady ’Cats have returning to the roster in a starting role: Alexis Jones, Ashleigh Harless, Courtney Gross, Hayley Nace, Ashlyn Moore, Chelsea Chisman, Jaycie Parr and Megan Botts, as they are looked to use that experience for success once again this season.
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Seniors this season include: Harless (shortstop/second base) and Nace (catcher/outfield). Juniors are Jones (third base, shortstop), Chisman (first base/pitcher), Parr (second base, shortstop, pitcher, outfield), Kyla Combs (outfield), Megan Dodds (outfield) and Bri Steele (outfield).
Sophomores on the team are Moore (outfield, second base) and Botts (outfield); and freshmen on the varsity roster include Brianna Purvis (outfield), Katie Ames (catcher, first base) and Sydnie Raines (outfield).
Though head coach Trisha Hauke didn’t give any set goals or expectations this season, the Lady Wildcats should look to compete to defend their Division II Southern Hills Athletic Conference championship in ’16, though it was a hectic offseason for the WHS program.
“Most of our players also play basketball, so it was a long offseason during the winter months,” Hauke said. “The ones that wanted to work through were willing to do individual workouts and do what was needed to help them become better players.”
Also lost from last season’s roster is catcher Jayde Parr, who started at the spot for two seasons.