By David Shelton
•
08 Apr, 2024
Pamplico – As the defending state champions in Class A softball, the Hannah-Pamplico Raiders have a target on their back in 2024. Nonetheless, this year’s team has enough talent and experience to make another run at the state championship, according to coach Amber Knight. “It was clear early in pre-season that the girls and coaching staff were feeling the pressure, coming off the programs first-ever State Championship Title win,” Knight reports. “We lost some key players from last year's roster, but the team has looked strong early on this year, currently sitting at 7-0 on the season and 2-0 in the region. “We have worked to establish the team as their own identity for the 2024 season, not a continuation of the 2023 State Champions. Our team looks different both in the field and at the plate, but as I have told the girls many times, different doesn't mean bad. We have a strong junior and sophomore class and two phenomenal pitchers that we think can take us back to the state championship playoffs.” Handling the duties inside the pitching circle are senior Isabella Davis and sophomore Kadence Poston. Each also plays first base when the other is pitching. In the early going, the duo has combined for 86 strikeouts and only six walks in the first 40 innings of the season. The first seven opponents managed just five runs. Lining up around the field defensively, junior Payten Poston is in centerfield while junior Jadan Lee is the shortstop. Sophomore Meredith Stone is the catcher and senior Madison Rodgers plays second base. Sophomore Chloe Cooper is the normal starter at third. Sophomore Savannah Owens starts in left and senior Karah Turner is in right. Adding depth defensively are freshman Allie Nettles (OF, 2B), sophomore Khloe Jones (OF, SS) and eighth-grader London Lee (3B/C). Offensively, Lee is the top performer, hitting .429 with three homers and 15 RBI in the first seven games. Lee hit .518 with 19 RBI last season. Owens batted .333 early on while Stone was at .294 and Poston at .386. Davis also is a capable hitter, hitting .362 last season. “Offensively, we have played well and have put up good numbers, we just haven't started stringing hits together to create those big innings,” Knight said. “A strong start to the season has the coaches optimistic. We are in a good place to make a run for the region title, hit our stride in the playoffs, and hopefully return to the state playoffs in late May.”