4th Region Softball
Lady Spartans and Lady Gators lead the list with state championship aspirations
- South Warren Lady Spartans
Outlook: A state semifinalist in 2022, South Warren returns its top hitter (McLaine Hudson) and three of its top four pitchers. The freshman Hudson batted .570 a season ago, picking up 85 hits, seven home runs, and a perfect 25/25 on stolen base attempts. Eighth-grader Courtney Norwood returns to the mound after going 12-2 with 81 strikeouts and a 1.81 ERA. Layla Ogden and Kendall Willingham also return after going a combined 14-0 with 78 strikeouts in 99.4 innings pitched.
- Greenwood Lady Gators
Outlook: The only team to beat South Warren a season ago in the 4th Region, Greenwood is looking to win its first region title since 2014 under first-year coach Rodney Bush. Senior ace Kayden Murray returns after compiling a record of 23-4 on the mound in 2022 with a 0.61 ERA. She struck out 287 batters in 172.1 innings of work. Lydia Kirby and Cali Huff will feature in the Gator lineup after batting .353 and .368 respectively. The freshman Huff hit 10 home runs last year and Kirby drove nine out of the ballpark.
- Warren East Lady Raiders
Outlook: Although the Lady Raiders will have to replace one of their most accomplished softball players in the history of their program (Emma Markham), Phil McKinney’s club returns its top three hitters for the 2023 campaign. Lydia Jones batted .519 with 54 hits, while Haylie Brasel hit .468 and scored 32 runs with 29 batted in. Madison Hymer rounds out the trio with a .419 average, 49 hits, and two home runs. The Lady Raiders will make their debut in the 15th District looking to return to the 4th Region Tournament after appearing every season between 2017 and 2021.
- Allen County-Scottsville Lady Patriots
Outlook: The Lady Patriots will be returning six of their top seven hitters from last season, as well as two of their top three pitchers. Freshman Hadley Borders will power the team after batting .505 with 36 runs scored and 21 RBI. Sophomore Ally Anderson also returns after batting .446 in 2022, as does Jacie Rice and her 27 runs batted in. With no seniors on the team this season, ACS will be looking to win back-to-back district tournaments for the first time since 2015-16 (came on the tail end of a four-peat from 2013-16).
- Russellville Lady Panthers
Outlook: After winning the 13th District title in 2022 and reaching the 4th Region semifinals, Russellville will be hungry for more in 2023 as it returns star senior A’miyah Collier. As a junior, she batted .491 with 56 runs scored, 33 RBI, 11 doubles, and 13 home runs. On the mound, she started 21 games and made 27 appearances (16-7) while striking out 112 batters. In addition to Collier, the Lady Panthers return six of their top hitters including Jaylah Kees (.366, nine doubles) and Madison Penrod (.408, 29 RBI). Ryan Davenport’s club is favored to win its second district title in a row.
- Barren County Trojanettes
Outlook: The Trojanettes will have to replace the trio of Allie Anderson, Lilie Broady, and Cora Bogue but return junior Katie Murphy and Riley Reed to the lineup. Murphy batted .476 with 12 doubles, 13 home runs, 38 RBI, and swiped 18 bases in 2022. Alyssa Curtis will be the most experienced returning pitcher after starting four games and making seven appearances (2-1) a season ago.
- Franklin-Simpson Lady Wildcats
Outlook: After going 23-12 in 2022 but missing out on the 4th Region Tournament, Franklin-Simpson is ready to make some noise this season. Returning its top two hitters and top pitcher will go a long way in helping Todd Caudill’s club seek to win its first 13th District championship since 2018. Sophomore Allie Utley hit .442 last season, scoring 41 runs, knocking in 31, and stealing 23 out of 23 bases for the Lady Wildcats. Freshman Kloie Smith also returns for Franklin after batting .438 with 36 RBI in 2022. Hanna Arthur will look to have another strong season on the mound after going 17-10 in 30 starts with a 2.95 ERA last year.
- Logan County Lady Cougars
Outlook: Winners of the 13th District Tournament in 2019 and 2021, Logan County will be looking to get back in the winner’s circle after a runner-up finish in 2022. Junior Hailey Burgess returns after batting .416 and going 4-0 in 17 pitching appearances with a 4.07 ERA. Fellow juniors Nora Epley and Shayla Johnson also return after batting above .300 last season.
- Clinton County Lady Bulldogs
Outlook: The Lady Bulldogs return their top three hitters and two of their top three pitchers from their district runner-up squad of a season ago. Seniors Loren Little and Ella Marlow will look to lead the team after batting .525 and .451 in 2022, as Marlow also drove in 31 runs. Sophomore Lily Hickman batted .515 with 27 RBI and struck out 40 batters with a team-best 3.34 ERA on the mound.
- Russell County Lady Lakers
Outlook: The Lady Lakers of Russell County will be looking to win their sixth district title in seven seasons when they take the field this spring. Senior Emma Popplewell returns for Tonya Rexroat’s club after batting .433 and eleven doubles in 2022. Freshman Kiara Kemp is the only returner with mound experience after going 2-0 in nine appearances with a 2.78 ERA.
Next Team Up: Cumberland County
