eagles softball ready to swing into action

The Seymour High School Softball Team can’t wait for the first pitch to begin the season. After bad weather conditions so far, the coaches and players are hoping for sunny, warm weather before the first regular season game March 16th at home against Pigeon Forge. As with all spring sports; the bad weather has put preparations a little behind so far, having to go inside to practice on a limited basis.
According to Seymour Softball  Coach Dana Carter, who is starting her 11th season, the Lady Eagles should have strong pitching this year from a very talented group of girls; Chaney Graham (Jr.), Celeste  Whaley(So), and Carly Lewis(Fr.). “The best thing about this is the fact that we have a really good pitching staff, opposed to last year where we had a sophomore having to pitch every game for us. Because of injuries to other players, she had to carry the load herself. That’s a lot to ask of just one pitcher.” This is the first time Seymour has had the luxury of having three pitchers.
“Seymour’s hitting has come along really well,” according to Coach Carter, Today was the first day we have been able to have intra squad practice. The weather has not cooperated at all. We have been having to hit off machines indoors. This is the first chance we have had to hit against real pitching.”
The Lady Eagles practice daily Monday thru Saturday. The need to practice this year is more imminent than ever before because Seymour is playing in the IMAC Conference for the first time, just like everyone else in Seymour athletics. Coach Carter had this to say, “We’re not too stressed out about it because for the past several years we have played these teams anyway in tournaments and added games therefore it won’t be a major adjustment for us. We won’t be intimidated. “This team has a lot of fight in them. You can have great talent but if you don’t have that fight and that drive something is missing. I believe this team has both. This team is scary good.”
According to Coach Carter, in the past her teams have lacked depth and numbers. Now things are different. For the first time, there is a full JV team. The varsity team could have up to 13 players with a total number of 25 girls on the team. Coach Carter said, “I remember four years ago I was playing with just 10 girls. The situation now is really exciting. The chemistry is really good on this team. We have a lot of power and a lot of speed. These girls are going to be really exciting to watch.”
The Lady Eagles only have one senior, catcher Hailey Huelsman. Coach Carter said, “She is going to be the senior who hurts me when she leaves; she is that valuable to the team. She could play any position on the field and do a good job. She is the type of player that would play any position you asked her to. She is also a very good leader.”
Other players who should be major contributors are Sara Cook (so.) second base and catcher, Catlin Cox (so.) 1st base, Karigan Newport at short stop and Alexis Staley in the outfield.
When asked what the goal was for this season, there was no hesitation” Our goal for this year is to make the state” said Carter. “We’ve been so close the last three years. It’s been very frustrating.”
Another exciting fact is this team is a young team made up mostly of sophomores; therefore success should be long term.
Coach Carter summed things up by saying,” We hope all the pieces come together for us. All the pieces are there. They are all laying on the table; and it’s up to us as coaches to put them together. We have a tough schedule this year; probably the toughest we’ve ever had. We will be playing in two of the top tournaments in the state. Hopefully we will be playing in late May; that’s our goal.”
By: Lee Ramsey
Eagles Softball Ready To Swing Into Action
The Seymour High School Softball Team can’t wait for the first pitch to begin the season. After bad weather conditions so far, the coaches and players are hoping for sunny, warm weather before the first regular season game March 16th at home against Pigeon Forge. As with all spring sports; the bad weather has put preparations a little behind so far, having to go inside to practice on a limited basis.
According to Seymour Softball  Coach Dana Carter, who is starting her 11th season, the Lady Eagles should have strong pitching this year from a very talented group of girls; Chaney Graham (Jr.), Celeste  Whaley(So), and Carly Lewis(Fr.). “The best thing about this is the fact that we have a really good pitching staff, opposed to last year where we had a sophomore having to pitch every game for us. Because of injuries to other players, she had to carry the load herself. That’s a lot to ask of just one pitcher.” This is the first time Seymour has had the luxury of having three pitchers.
“Seymour’s hitting has come along really well,” according to Coach Carter, Today was the first day we have been able to have intra squad practice. The weather has not cooperated at all. We have been having to hit off machines indoors. This is the first chance we have had to hit against real pitching.”
The Lady Eagles practice daily Monday thru Saturday. The need to practice this year is more imminent than ever before because Seymour is playing in the IMAC Conference for the first time, just like everyone else in Seymour athletics. Coach Carter had this to say, “We’re not too stressed out about it because for the past several years we have played these teams anyway in tournaments and added games therefore it won’t be a major adjustment for us. We won’t be intimidated. “This team has a lot of fight in them. You can have great talent but if you don’t have that fight and that drive something is missing. I believe this team has both. This team is scary good.”
According to Coach Carter, in the past her teams have lacked depth and numbers. Now things are different. For the first time, there is a full JV team. The varsity team could have up to 13 players with a total number of 25 girls on the team. Coach Carter said, “I remember four years ago I was playing with just 10 girls. The situation now is really exciting. The chemistry is really good on this team. We have a lot of power and a lot of speed. These girls are going to be really exciting to watch.”
The Lady Eagles only have one senior, catcher Hailey Huelsman. Coach Carter said, “She is going to be the senior who hurts me when she leaves; she is that valuable to the team. She could play any position on the field and do a good job. She is the type of player that would play any position you asked her to. She is also a very good leader.”
Other players who should be major contributors are Sara Cook (so.) second base and catcher, Catlin Cox (so.) 1st base, Karigan Newport at short stop and Alexis Staley in the outfield.
When asked what the goal was for this season, there was no hesitation” Our goal for this year is to make the state” said Carter. “We’ve been so close the last three years. It’s been very frustrating.”
Another exciting fact is this team is a young team made up mostly of sophomores; therefore success should be long term.
Coach Carter summed things up by saying,” We hope all the pieces come together for us. All the pieces are there. They are all laying on the table; and it’s up to us as coaches to put them together. We have a tough schedule this year; probably the toughest we’ve ever had. We will be playing in two of the top tournaments in the state. Hopefully we will be playing in late May; that’s our goal.”