Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Middle School softball season gets underway on Monday, August 12, as the Bears travel to Whitesville Trinity for its season opener.  

With a loss of seven 8th graders from 2012 - all starters - and only two 8th graders on the 2013 team - the Bears will be putting a young team on the field with limited softball experience at the middle school level.

"We'll definitely be the youngest middle school team in our region and probably for most other regions as well," said BCMS Head Coach John Embry.  "However, our kids have been working hard - six days per week since July 15 - and have shown tremendous growth and improvement.  We're really looking forward to competing this season."

Leading the middle school Bears will be the team's two 8th graders - Olivia Jones and Tori McKinney.  Both are pitchers - Jones a lefty, while McKinney throws right-handed.  McKinney will anchor the team at shortstop when not in the circle, while Jones, when not pitching, will likely play first base or in the outfield.  Both are solid hitters who will need to produce at the plate in order for the Bears to be successful this season.

Butler County's small 8th grade class is supported by three lower grades with solid numbers.

7th grade players are Delaney Embry, Dixie Garnier, Kasidy Graham, Kadi Jo Hunt, Brooklyn Martin, Kylee Smith, and Amber Thacker.  Embry, Smith, Garnier and Hunt are all primarily outfielders, while Martin and Thacker are expected to play mostly infield but may see time in the outfield.  Graham has been working primarily as catcher but will also see some infield action.  Both Thacker and Smith are pitchers and will get some time in the circle this season.  

The 6th grade class is the largest on the team and is comprised of Bayleigh Alford, Shalyn Bratcher, Chaney Brooks, Hannah Chaney, Virginia Deweese, Evyn Fraizer, Haley Peach, Ashley Thacker and Jacie Ward.  Alford, Deweese, and Chaney are primarily outfielders.  Chaney will also get innings behind the plate.  Bratcher, Brooks, Frazier, Peach, Thacker, and Ward will all compete for infield positions.  Thacker is also expected to log several innings as catcher.  Frazier is working in the circle as a pitcher.

Making up the 5th grade class are Aubrey Clark, Andrea Deweese, Audrey Deweese, Conley Moore, Aleace Hall, and Leslee Washer.  The Deweese twins and Hall are working primarily in the outfield, while Moore is working at both infield and outfield positions. Clark and Washer are mainly infielders but may see some outfield time.  Washer is also a pitcher and will like log a few innings in the circle this season.  

James White joins the middle school coaching staff this season.  He joins Jack Clark, who has been sidelined for awhile this summer due to hip surgery but is going strong now. 

"We're fortunate to have James and Jack on the coaching staff.  Both do a great job working with the kids," said Embry, who also praised the the volunteer efforts of parents this season.  "We've had several parent volunteers step up and provide much-needed help in practices this summer and it has really been an asset to our team," added Embry.  

BCMS 2013  Schedule:

8/12 Whitesville Trinity-A

8/13 Allen Co.-Scottsville-H

8/15 Owensboro Catholic-H

8/19 Warren East-A

8/20 Grayson County-A

8/22 Webster County - H

8/26 Daviess County-A

8/27 Whitesville Trinity-H

8/29 Logan County-H

8/30 Warren East-H

9/3 Franklin-Simpson-A

9/5 Barren County-H

9/6&9/7 Owensboro Catholic Tournament

9/9 Daviess County-H

9/10 Logan County-A

9/12 Apollo-H

9/16 Allen Co.-Scottsville-A

9/17 Drakes Creek-H

9/23 Owensboro Catholic-A

9/24 Barren County-A

9/25 Grayson County-H

9/28 Tournament at Webster County

9/30 Apollo-A

10/1 South Warren-H

10/4&10/5 Middle School State Tournament at Marshall Co. 

- All regular season games through the week will be 5-inning double headers starting at 5:30.

BCMS 2013 Roster:

1. Olivia Jones #25

2. Tori McKinney #6

3. Delaney Embry #00

4. Dixie Garnier #22

5. Kasidy Graham #24

6. Kadi Jo Hunt #13

7. Brooklyn Martin #23

8.  Kylee Smith #14

9. Amber Thacker #18

10. Bayleigh Alford #12

11. Shalyn Bratcher #2

12. Chaney Brooks #10

13. Hannah Chaney #4

14. Virginia Deweese #20

15. Evyn Frazier #19

16. Haley Peach- #21

17. Ashley Thacker #5

18. Jacie Ward #7

19. Aubrey Clark #16

20. Andrea Deweese #9

21. Audrey Deweese #8

22. Aleace Hall #1

23. Conley Moore #15

24. Leslee Washer #11