PREVIEW: Lynchburg-Clay softball touts variety of athletes

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While the Lynchburg-Clay High School softball team will only have two returning seniors this season, several athletes will step up to the plate with plenty of experience in other sports, said coach Michelle Truman.

Truman, who is also assistant athletic director at Lynchburg-Clay, said the team’s goals this year are to play hard and return to the fundamentals – and, while the team hasn’t had much of a chance to get out on the field yet, she said she expects the team will be competitive in the league.

“We’ll be working a lot on just your basic coverage,” she said. “Hitting, covering what position you should be covering, having a good attitude and taking care of your responsibilities… We want to play as a team.”

In terms of improvements, Truman said she hopes the girls will build confidence as the season goes on and reach a new level of mental readiness.

Senior Hayley McConaughey returns to the diamond to play third base, while Makayla Fittro, also a senior, will start on second and play some outfield.

Junior Cailee Elam, a second baseman and short stop, and sophomore Bailey Baker, a first baseman and outfielder, both enter the season after finding success in L-C’s soccer program.

Sophomores Sam Kirby and Chelsea Hart, and freshman Serena Smith, have all three played soccer and basketball, while sophomore Bailey Baker, another soccer athlete, will cover first base and outfield.

Freshman Amber DeBoard will open pitching and first base, while sophomore Morgan Parks will act as a utility player, handling catching and outfield — both are volleyball athletes.

Truman said she plans on allowing a large underclassmen base plenty of varsity innings.

“What we’re trying to do is build a program,” she said. “We’re trying to give JV a lot of varsity game time.”

Reach David Wright at 937-402-2570, or on Twitter @DavidWrighter.

Hannah Binkley makes a hit in a previous game. Although the Lynchburg-Clay senior won’t be on the team this year, she and several players in the L-C softball program have something in common — they all compete in a variety of high school sports.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2017/03/web1_H.Binkley-1.jpgHannah Binkley makes a hit in a previous game. Although the Lynchburg-Clay senior won’t be on the team this year, she and several players in the L-C softball program have something in common — they all compete in a variety of high school sports. Times-Gazette file photo
Competitors from basketball, soccer, volleyball

By David Wright

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