Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
David Hurd will face new competition this spring in the form of teams in the Mt. Empire, but his softball team’s goal remains the same—a state title.
Twice, the Eagles have been close in the past three years, and the players know what it takes for that next step. The question is whether they can reach it.
“This is a team that has very high expectations. We are focused on winning the state championship. Our program is 81-19 the last four year’s and we view it as only having one thing left to do. Our kids are focused and working hard toward reaching this goal. Last year we were a very complete team but were upended by a dominant pitcher from Patrick Henry-Glade Spring, we are very focused on being able to handle all situations this season,” he said.
Hurd has compiled a 251-140 record over 19 years including a 19-5 mark a year ago that fell short in the state quarterfinals. He lost four starters but returns a nucleus that most coaches only dream of.
Centerfielder Mac Lawrence has committed to Wingate, pitcher Skyler Dehart to Virginia Tech and catcher Abby Wilson to Radford University. Lacey Bishop, who has committed to Ferrum, returns to play second base and Emily Scaggs at first.
Cortney Cochran, who was expected to be a starter last season, also returns after a season-ending ankle injury. In addition, Rachel Harding returns to the roster.
Wilson finished last season with a .494 average with 39 RBIs, a new school record, along with 28 runs, 12 doubles and 14 stolen bases.
Lawrence adds to the speedsters on the team, already stealing four bases in this early season to follow up 13 from a year ago when she hit .400 with three homeruns, 16 RBIs, 11 doubles and two triples.
Almost all his returners hit better than .400 last season. Then, there’s Dehart who handles most of the duties on the hill. She finished with a 17-4 record in 2017 with 149 strikeouts and a 1.22 earned run average.
Hurd said Becca Harding played a great deal last season as the Designated Player and will play an increasing role this year.
“Leah Harrison pitched a number of innings last year and is poised to carry out that role again as well as factor into the outfield situation. Addy Huff and Tori Boyd gained valuable experience last year and are playing a larger role this season” he said. There will be healthy competition on the practice field every day and we hope this carries over onto the game field.
In the new district, Hurd feels Galax could be the team to beat.
Marissa Puckett is in her second year at the helm of the program in Radford. Last season, the Bobcats put together a 5-15 record and only lost two starters.
“Since we had a very young team last year, we have returned a group that has much potential after another year of experience under their belt. Bailee Cox is a strong 4-year starter on the team with a versatile bat and quick glove. She is accompanied by other senior Michi Jarrett, who hopes to help the team through her pitching and leadership,” the coach said.
Puckett is no stranger to the diamond after being a member of a Floyd County High School softball team that had a lot of success. She was four-year starter in softball, being named both Three Rivers District and West 2A Region player of the year as a senior. She was also named first team all-state and played in the Virginia High School Coach’s all-star game.
Other returning players for this year’s Bobcats include: Tiohna Eaves, Reagan Sellers, Lexi Rader, Charli Dietz, Tyashia Gellner and Ashley Burdette.
Cox, who was first team all-conference selection as an outfielder and a 1A second teamer, will lead the Bobcats in experience with her versatility at the plate between slapping and hitting. Other all- conference returners include Eaves and Dietz, both infielders.
Radford will jump from the 1A classification to 2A, and Puckett knows that creates a whole new challenge, but they will still see Three Rivers District action for most of the season that includes one of the top 4A programs in the state, Carroll County
“After a rebuilding year in 2017 (lost 7 starters from the 2016 class), we are looking to be competitive in 2A and are hoping to make improvements offensively and defensively. We’ve added three freshmen to the roster that will make a positive impact as well,” she said.
The second-year coach also expects Floyd and district newcomer-James River to be very tough this season.
Nate O’Dell is in his third year at Christiansburg and returns seven starters to a team that was 5-15 last season. “We have a good core of returning starters and look to finish over .500,” he said.
Those starters include: Courtney Wright, Madi Thompson, Emma O’Dell, Abby Boyd, Aaliyah Benson, Elise Levine and Kyndall Stanley
(Editor’s note: The coaching staff at Blacksburg and Eastern Montgomery high schools did not return inquiries nor a preseason questionnaire about their upcoming season.)
