SOFTBALL PREVIEW: BCHS Bears return experienced team for 2016 season

Wed, 03/16/2016 - 2:25pm — John Embry

Coming off a 24-13 season in 2015 that featured a 12th District runner-up finish and a trip to the Third Region Tournament, the Butler County Bears softball team is planning for another successful campaign in 2016. They will have to do it without the services of two seniors lost to graduation - pitcher Kassie Phelps and right-fielder Emily Rich. Both were veteran players and significant contributors to the team's success.

Seniors (L-R) Callie Cardwell, Abigail Fry and Taylor King
"Both Kassie and Emily were important players in our program and they will be missed," said BCHS coach John Embry.
The Bears, however, return an experienced squad with seven of nine varsity starters back in the line-up. Perhaps the biggest change will be junior Zoie Pendley taking over the varsity pitching responsibilities. Pendley was the primary junior varsity pitcher last season but also logged some significant varsity time in the circle, as well playing first base. Junior catcher Cheyenne White will be returning behind the plate to team with Pendley in completing the battery.
"Zoie and Chey give us a lot of stability in those positions - positions that are critical to the success of any softball program," said Embry. "We need and expect good seasons from both of them."

Juniors (L-R): Madison Clark, Ashlynne Brooks, Zoie Pendley, Cheyenne White, and Maddie McKinney.
Three of four varsity infield positions feature returning players - junior Madison "Boo" Clark at third base; junior Maddie McKinney at shortstop; and senior Callie Cardwell at second base.
The outfield is anchored with plenty of experience with a pair of seniors - Abigail Fry in left and Taylor King in center.
"With Abigail and Taylor in the outfield and Boo, Maddie and Callie in the infield, we're fortunate this season to have several players with significant varsity playing experience who have been in the program for a while," said Embry. "We hope this pays off for us down the road as we go through our challenging season."
With vacancies to fill at first base and in right field, junior Ashlynne Brooks and sophomores Olivia Jones and Tori McKinney are currently the three primary contenders for playing time in those positions.
"Ashlynne, Olivia and Tori have all three been working extremely hard this season as they compete for varsity playing time at either first base or in right field," said Embry. "All three will get playing opportunities, especially early in the season."

Sophomores (L-R): Tori McKinney and Olivia Jones

Players rounding out the varsity roster are freshman outfielder Dixie Garnier, freshman infielder Amber Thacker, freshman pitcher/outfielder Kylee Smith and 8th grader Hannah Chaney, who is the back-up varsity catcher and full-time junior varsity catcher. Both Garnier and Chaney will be called on as varsity pinch runners, as well as some other younger players. Smith, along with Tori McKinney and 8th grader Evyn Frazier will handle pitching responsibilities at the junior varsity level.
Several other middle school players will be playing on both the junior varsity and freshman teams, including 8th graders Bayleigh Alford, Shalyn Bratcher, Haley Peach, Ashley Thacker, Jacie Ward, and 7th grader Aleace Hall.

Freshmen (L-R): Amber Thacker, Dixie Garnier, Kylee Smith

Team captains for 2016 are Taylor King, Abigail Fry and Zoie Pendley.
Assistant coaches for 2016 are Jack Clark, Diane Dyer and Lexie Smith. Clark is the hitting coach, coaches first base during varsity games and third base during JV games, and works with outfielders; Dyer manages the team's stat program and assists in all areas related to softball instruction and overall supervision. Smith joins the team in what is her first year coaching softball but she brings several years of coaching experience to the table with basketball. She will be assisting in all areas, as well, and will coach first base in JV games. Coach Embry is the pitching coach, works with catchers and infielders, and coaches third base during varsity games.

8th graders (Back, L-R): Ashley Thacker, Evyn Frazier, Hannah Chaney, Bayleigh Alford, Shalyn Bratcher, Haley Peach, and Jacie Ward.
Butler County plays in the 12th District with Grayson County, Edmonson County, and Trinity (Whitesville). The Bears are in the Third Region with non-district opponents that include Daviess County, Apollo, Owensboro Catholic, Owensboro, Muhlenberg County, McLean County, Ohio County, Meade County, Hancock County, and Breckinridge County.