Lady Jackets Softball features lots of young talent
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[2011 squad is led by four seniors and two juniors; three sophomores and nine freshmen compliment the lineup
By Jim Beers
The 2011 Lady Jackets Softball Team boasts good numbers with an 18-girl roster. The squad features four seniors, two juniors, three sophomores and nine freshmen.
Seniors include Ashley Andrews who is a four-year player, Rachel Sheely another four-year player and a pair of newcomers who are contributing. Hannah Hargrave is playing for her first time as a high school player and Shelly Lyons, a former track standout, joined the team in the second week of competition and hasn't yet seen playing time.
Juniors Morgan Colvis and Lauren Hoops are three-year players who have contributed to the varsity Jackets for three years. Sophomores Taylor Gross and Allie Schmerbauch have played for a year already while Taylor Yankey is playing dual sports for the first time. Yankey is a track standout is also playing softball this year.
Nine freshmen have come out for softball this year some of which are already contributing on the varsity level. Katie Roth, Averi Mueller, Lacey Reynolds, Amber Watkins, Peyton Moore, Natasha Pulliam, Lindsey McCormick, and Autumn Phillips are committed only to softball while Alexandria Fedderke is playing dual sports, both track and field and softball.
The Lady Jackets have two primary pitchers this year in junior Morgan Colvis and sophomore Taylor Gross. Both have been sharing the pitching duties so far in the early part of the season. Both are solid pitchers.
Catching Colvis and Gross this year are sophomore Taylor Yankey and freshman Katie Roth. Yankey has played select softball in previous years and is the go-to-catcher, while Roth, has done an excellent job behind the plate when Yankey is running track or otherwise playing in another position.
Colvis and Gross switch off at first base when the other is pitching and Katie Roth and sophomore Katie Roth share duties at second base. Junior Lauren Hoops is a solid short stop and mans that position most of the time. At third base is Lacey Reynolds, a freshman, who has done a good job adjusting to high school softball.
The outfield has two veterans in Rachel Sheely in left field and Ashley Andrews in center field. Right field has been shared by a trio of newcomers including senior Hannah Hargrave and freshmen Averi Mueller and Natasha Pulliam. Freshman Amber Watkins has seen playing time as designated hitter for the Lady Jackets.
Alexandria Fedderke, Lindsey McCormick and Autumn Phillips have primarily played at the junior varsity level so far this season along with other under classmen. All are working hard and fighting for playing time at the varsity level.
Offensively, seniors Rachel Sheely and Ashley Andrews, juniors Morgan Colvis and Lauren Hoops, sophomores Taylor Yankey and Taylor Gross and freshman Katie Roth have been key producers at the plate so far this season for CHS. All Lady Yellow Jackets are giving their all and seem to be much improved this year.
The Jackets are 2-5 overall in early non-conference action having beaten Steeleville, 4-3 in nine innings, and Shawnee, 5-3. Losses have come from Red Bud, 5-2, Marissa, 6-4, Waterloo-Gibault, 9-4, Trico, 8-1 and Valmeyer, 9-8. Overall CHS has been in every game and the margin of losses has been much closer so far in 2011.
The Lady Jackets can be seen live at the Cohen Complex hosting Dupo April 6, Carmi-White County April 12, Elverado April 14, Hamilton County April 29, Ziegler-Royalton May 3 and Herrin May 9. These games have a first pitch at 4:30 p.m. The Lady Jacket Softball Tournament will be held May 7 at the Cohen Complex.
The Lady Jackets are coached by Erin Oglesby, Head Coach and Karen Bert, Assistant Coach.