Not a lot changes in 5th Region softball and although the race looks familiar, there are some different storylines this time around.
Central Hardin (18-5) –After winning the last five straight 5th Region Titles, even a year off doesn’t change much. Despite losing an All Star team over the past two years, the Lady Bruins still look like a strong favorite to repeat. The pitching rortation which saw Kaci Goedde as the Ace now has E-Town transfer Trista Colasonti (8-0) and Eleccia Hager (5-2) at the top spots. There are nine seniors that provide production in the batting lineup as well starting off with Emma Case (.525), Kelsy Waters (.477), Macey Martin (36-runs), Madysen Jones (.433), Lilly Padgett and Cassie Muse along with youngsters Avery Strader and Alyssa Gent. The Lady Bruins have pounded 31-home runs and their longball tendencies come at the most opportune times.
Bethlehem (20-4) – Like Central Hardin, the Banshees lost eight major contributors in Mattie Robbins, Carly Jones, Kennady Warder, Savannah Beyerle, Makenna Ellis and Claire Osborne, but coach Shaun Smith has rebuilt this team on the run and have gotten 20-wins around pitchers Kaitlyin Cissell (19-3) and Emma Mattingly (1-1) and a batting lineup of Cissell (.404 and 36-hits), Rylee French (.429 and 36-hits), Maggie Mattingly (.400 29-RBI’s), Emma Mattingly (36-stolen bases), Malorie Thiel (20-hits), Paige Miller and Lily Attebury.
Green County (18-9) –The Lady Dragons came into 2021 with a lot of starters and a slightly different pitching staff with their Ace Abigail Keltner gone. Both Tatum Chalk and Katlyn Milby have gone a marvelous job in the circle (combined 15-9) along with a defense which has plenty of senior experience. Junior Tanlee Hudgins leads the team in batting (.655), HR’s (14), runs (43), RBI’s (44) and hits (57) and not too far behind is Madi Corbin (.456) and Haley Judd (.434). Tatum Caulk, Milby, Mikka Thompson, Allie Burris, Lillie Beard and Bella Johnson and Catie Church round it out. Like Central Hardin, the Lady Dragons do like the long ball hitting hitting 32 so far.
Eizabethtown (9-8) – Although coach Jimmy Schmidt believes the future is now for his team, he also is a realist in that with a squad of just two seniors and plenty of underclassmen and middle-schoolers, he can afford to be patient this time around. Sophomore Kylie McKinney is the Ace on the pitching rotation (8-2) and is followed by a seventh-grader and an eighth-grader (Tatum Spier and Heidi Tipton). The batting lineup features Alyssa Philpot (.435 and 20-hits), Hannah Riley (19-hits), Emil Schmidt (.432), Natalie Shaw (21-RBI’s), Avery Simpson and Avery Powers. The Lady Panthers have held their own in most games this year.
LaRue County (14-5) – Coach Rocky Cundiff had to replace most of his lineup and pitching staff and so far has found the right parts for the machine. Kaitlyn Rucker (4-3) and Shianne Thompson (5-1) have done a great job replacing Kellee Cundiff and Sarah Jo Calhoun in the rotation and the defense looks different as well along with the batting lineup of Hannah Perry (.578, 26-hits and 23-RBI’s), Isabella Rivera (20-hits, 19-runs), Kelsey Hornback (.364), Isabelle Hayes, Paige Evans, Maleah English, Emma Moore and Natalie Gentry. The Lady Hawks are 10-3 in their last 13-games.
Taylor County (10-8) – Coach Andy Stephens is the new Lady Cardinal head coach and he has rebuilt a tem which not only lost it’s Ace (Autumn Henderson) and eleven players mostly starters. Aubree Bardin (8-7) and Jayda Smith have stepped into the circle and have done a great job. Emily Melton leads the team in batting average (.511), hits and runs and Aubree Bardin is hitting .431 in 47-at bats.
North Hardin (11-9) – Although probably a long shot at the moment, there is evidence that the Lady Trojans are improving after losing nearly 90% of their starting lineup from 2019. Coach Jessica Gunby has done a great job replacing a pitching staff with starters Emilee Fife and Sydnee Adkisson and surrounding them with a new look defense of infielders Tiffany Kelly, Karlee Adkisson, Emma Corder, catcher Ryleigh Crank, outfielders Tone Melton, Abigail Atkins and Rachel Ritchie.The Lady Trojans have stayed right in there at the halfway point.
Marion County (9-6) – Coaches Emily Fenwick and Erin Benton have done a great job keeping the Lady Knights in contention after the graduation of Haley Mattingly with pitchers Emma Sullivan and Graycn Mattingly. Maggie Overstreet is leading the team in batting average (.620) along with Alexis Wheeler (.524). Sullivan, Amber Farris and Reece Caldwell have given Marion County a solid batting lineup.
Thomas Nelson (9-7) – Coach Holly Smith has kept the Lady Generals into a winner this season with Jenna Minter (6-4) and Emma Odaniel (3-3) in the circle and Sydney Gagel leading the team in batting with a .564 average, 31-hits, 35-RBI’s and 11-home runs as well.
