STARS SHINE ON SOUTH CHARLOTTE SOFTBALL FIELDS

High school softball is alive and well in South Charlotte this season.  With  All-American Ashton Ward now pitching for The University of Tennessee the candidates for player of the year are plentiful. 

Even without Ward, the Butler Bulldogs will be a very tough team to beat this season. 

The Bulldogs feature Greater Charlotte Hot Stove League Player of the Year Constance Orr.  Last week, Constance struck out 16 batters in a seven inning game.  Jessica Bowen and Taylor White should also help Butler contend for a Southwestern 4A Championship.

The Weddington Warriors are led by all-around athlete Allie Cashion.  Allie combines strong defensive play with speed and a strong bat.  Taylor Morris handles the pitching duties for head coach Claire Lyerly. Caroline Baker, Jessica Fellmeth and Michelle Humphrey give Weddington High School an advantage when playing against most teams in the area.

In only their second season, Ardrey Kell High School is the home to one of the top pitchers in the state, Kalie Lang.  Only a junior, Kalie throws a 70 mph fastball and has an inner toughness unmatched by most players. Three sport star Kat Holzmeister provides help in the infield, along with freshman Stephanie Wood.  Alyssa Robinson and Jennifer Rosene will also be counted on to help the Knights earn a playoff spot.

Marvin Ridge is led by a group of young high school players.  Freshman Erin Kayton, the Greater Charlotte Hot Stove League Youth Softball Player of the Year is off to a superb start for her high school career. Megan Robertson, Caitlin Kurtz, Megan Martin, and Ashley Christy provide a solid core group of players for head coach Kevin Allran.

Charlotte Catholic features Kelsey Penrose, Laura Curran and Tori Burke, two very talented softball players.  Providence High School is led by a trio of exceptional athletes, Leah Quant, Missy Wills and Lauren Habig.  Erin Troxell will lead Charlotte Latin on the diamond.

Yes, High School softball is alive and well in South Charlotte.  It’s important to give a tip of the cap to the outstanding youth programs in the area that are designed to introduce young ladies to the game of softball. The travel softball teams in the area are outstanding and have produced a ton of talent for the area high schools.  On any given weekend in the spring and fall it’s easy to find a softball tournament in the area.  Tomorrow’s stars are hard at work to become the next Kalie, Constance, or Allie.

Keep playing hard Ladies!