Lady Aces cash in on big season

Select fastpitch softball 11-and-under team will have tryouts for next season in August

news@theheraldnewspapers.com

The Knoxville Lady Aces recently wrapped up another successful season by finishing second for the second consecutive season in the USSSA World Series.
The 11-and-under fastpitch softball squad is coached by co-head coaches David Walton and David Coker. The squad, made up with players from all over East Tennessee, played a total of 51 games this season, winning around 75 percent of their contests according to Coker.
One of the team’s top players, both in the field and at the plate, is Seymour native Kerigan Newport, an 11-year old shortstop. Newport hits second in the batting order and uses her speed to frequently set up shop in scoring position.
The Lady Aces use three different pitchers, with ace Megan Farmer, a Gibbs native leading the way on the mound.
The team competes exclusively in tournaments throughout its season, playing against clubs from throughout North America, including one team from Canada. The Lady Aces consist of four 10-year old players and seven 11-year old players.
Coker said the squad will be having a tryout for next year’s team in August. He encourages any young lady with any interest in softball to come by and give it a shot.
He said in the last few years he’s seen a rise in girls wanting to participate in the sport.
“We’re always looking for new talent,” he stated. “Softball is growing in popularity and we’re seeing a lot more girls come out and participate.
“I think the exposure that the College World Series brings with the television coverage, and locally the Weekly’s (University of Tennessee co-head coaches Ralph and Karen Weekly) are putting on two different camps and reaching out to area players.”
The tryouts to become part of next year’s Lady Aces team will be held on August 8th and 12th at the Holston-Chilhowee Ballpark just off Asheville Highway. Coker said the coaches look beyond just a prospective player’s athletic ability when selecting new members.
“We put the girls through a series of drills,” said the coach. “But we look at the parents just as much as we do the kids. We look for good, dedicated parents. The parents play a very important role with what we do as a team.”
Folks interested in finding out more about the upcoming tryouts should call Coker at 386-4075 or Walton at 748-4831.