Wayne slow-pitch is back

The Wayne slow pitch team opened their season last week at Union City on Friday. They had games with the Lady Tigers and Hinton. They dropped both games, 13-1 to Union City and 15-7 to Hinton.

They were in Chickasha earlier this week for the Dibble Festival. Their season opener at Asher was canceled due to rain.

Head coach Nikki Herrin is in her first season as the slow-pitch coach and she has high hopes for the season ahead.

“This is a great group. There is a lot of camaraderie and the upper classmen have high softball IQ. The younger girls will continue to build on their knowledge as they get more experience and play games,” Herrin said.

A good number of girls are back from last season when the Lady Bulldogs made it to the State tournament. Seniors Macey Trejo, Shyleigh Mantooth and Haiden Parker were all lost to graduation.

“Those three seniors were heavy contributors but we still look really good. We’re a different team but the quality is still there.”

Field positions are still not set in stone in the early season, but Herrin has a solid idea of who she wants where.

Manning the infield will be Kaylee Madden at short stop, Allison Ryan at third, Addison Keeler at second and Alyssa Hobson at first. Catcher is a position that is still up in the air but Herrin has Zoe Overley and Lily Whitaker in mind.

Outfielders will be Faith Brazell, Jordynn Debaets, Emily Woody and Karsen Adams.

Brysten Shephard will likely start in the circle with Ava Stottlemyre as a backup. Ryan and Madden are also in the pitching rotation, as needed.

Herrin says the schedule is promising and that each game will be a challenge, but not one single game stands out.

Last season Wayne finished with a 28-2 record after being beaten out by Tushka in the State tournament.