PREVIEW: Twin Rivers softball wants another title shot

By BRAD HURT ~ DAR Sports Writer

The Twin Rivers Lady Royals have a bitter taste from the fall softball season.

After winning 16 of their first 17, the Lady Royals suffered an 1-0 loss to East Carter in the district championship. Now they are looking to turn their fortunes around as they begin their drive for a conference title.

"We're definitely going to have to overcome that last game because that was a big upset," Twin Rivers senior Kayla Cunningham said.

The Lady Royals cannot afford to approach the season gingerly as their first opponent is Naylor, who will once again give the Lady Royals their biggest challenge. The two teams meet Thursday at Naylor.

"Our toughest competition will be Naylor, as usual " Twin Rivers coach Barb Cunningham said.

The Lady Eagles are coming off their own district title loss as they fell to Oran to end their fall season.

A key factor in the Lady Royals' success this season will be the play of junior pitcher Carlee Vancil, who pitched brilliantly in the fall but is coming off an ankle injury she suffered early in the basketball season.

"Carlee has gone through some rehab and she's been working on hitting this week," said coach Cunningham, adding that the injury is not much of a concern.

Vancil's pitching carried the Lady Royals through the fall as she recorded several no-hitters and dominated opposing batters each time she took the mound.

Vancil will have help on the mound as Cunningham and freshman Chelsea Crain will see time at pitcher.

"Chelsea is a freshman and she's left-handed and she's an excellent pitcher. She's very strong," coach Cunningham said. "Kayla is really good about stepping in. Whenever we're in a tight spot and need her, she'll get in and throw."

Offense will be the Lady Royals' focus this season after their bats failed them in the district final. Coach Cunningham hopes to have more output from her offense this spring.

"We have been working on our hitting," she said. "Our goal is to be more consistent."

With the addition of Briana Johnson, the Lady Royals will have four seniors on the roster this spring. That experience along with the memory of their disappointing loss to end the fall seas should result in a positive spring season.

"We're coming back, and we're going to try to do better and fix the mistakes we made last fall " senior catcher Kelci Scott said.

Naylor pitcher Chelsea Lane will be key once again for the Lady Eagles as they aim for a conference title.

Led by freshman pitcher Moriah Randazzo, the Lady Redbirds are looking to build on the district title they won last fall. Lindsey Eudaley and Courtney Saffle anchor the Lady Redbirds' lineup which struggled in their sectional loss to Kelly.

Youth is the main characteristic of the Doniphan Donettes, who have no seniors on their roster. Junior pitcher Marybeth Cosgrove is the team's biggest strength. Junior shortstop Jan Smith and junior catcher Cassey Hart provide experience to the Donettes' lineup while freshman centerfielder Sarah Tejada is coming off a solid fall season.

The Greenville Lady Bears ended the fall with a loss to East Carter in the district semifinals. Led by the battery of catcher Lindsay Henson and pitcher Sara Condray they hope to challenge for the conference championship.

Neelyville finished the fall season strong, defeating Couch before falling to Naylor in a close game in the district tournament. Senior All-District pitcher Libby Parrish provides leadership for the young squad and must get defensive support from the infield for the Lady Tigers to be successful.

"When we play well, the infield plays well," coach Bill Alexander said.

The Clearwater Lady Tigers are coming off a winless fall season but hope to get some experience this spring.

Seniors Deanna Yates and Adriann D'Amico anchor the infield while Kara Swofford handles the pitching duties. Freshman Alex Green returns after leading the Lady Tigers in every offensive category in the fall. Coach Shannon England has a deep roster to work with including several new additions from the volleyball team.