Get in touch
555-555-5555
mymail@mailservice.com

Young White Knoll Softball Team Focused On A Strong Finish

Billy Baker • Apr 03, 2024

By Billy G. Baker

Publisher

Lexington—The White Knoll softball team is experiencing a rare rebuilding season under coaching veteran April Farr (186-98-1) as the Timberwolves entered the Spring break period with an over-all record of 4-11.


The 16- person roster is comprised of two seniors, three juniors, four sophomores, five freshmen, one 8th grader and one 7th grader.


“We have a very young pitching staff who just lack a lot of experience at the varsity level,” said Coach Farr. “We have a young team in general. We actually have a solid defensive team.”


The team returned only one all-region player from last season in junior shortstop Nikki Gallardo. Gallardo came into Spring break batting .310 with 26 RBI’s, including seven doubles and seven home runs.


Sophomore catcher McKenzie Bradley is currently batting .327 with two doubles and three triples. Senior first baseman Allie Cole is at .357 with 9 RBI’s including three doubles, one triple and two home runs.  Cole has signed with USC- Union.


Talented 7thg grader Mindy Veler is a speedy outfielder who is holding her own with a .257 batting average to date.  Sophomore Gracie Fisher is doing a solid defensive job at second base. Junior Allie Roger plays in center field and she is batting .324 with 8 RBI’s including seven doubles and one home run. Roger is a verbal commitment to North Greenville College.


With such a young team many positions are being platooned by several players. The remaining players on the roster include: Eighth grader EG Birchmore, Sophomore Caroline Bridges, 9th grader Lexi Burkard, senior Samantha Carpenter, sophomore Jaden Ekovich, freshman Jaida Gay, freshman Adelyn Lewis, junior Hailey Murray, freshman Lillian Priest, and freshman Abygail White.


When White Knoll returns from Spring break, they will have six games left in the regular season. They host River Bluff on April, 12 are at Dutch Fork on April, 16. On April, 18 WK hosts North Augusta and then travel to county rival Lexington on April, 19. They host Chapin on April, 23 and close out the regular season at home on April, 25 against Mid-Carolina.   


By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor 20 May, 2024
Blazers are state champions after sharing title with Westwood last year
By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor 19 May, 2024
Nation Ford's Mia Royall sets new state record in 1,600 run
By Neill Kirkpatrick Special Contributor 19 May, 2024
Philip Simmons claim boys AAA crown
By Neill Kirkpatrick Special Contributor 18 May, 2024
SCS wins fourth straight while Warrior girls 3-peat
By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor 18 May, 2024
Vikings use strong finish in field events to pull away
By Roger Lee Special Contributor 17 May, 2024
Green Wave accused of violating pitch-count rule in win over Ashley Ridge leading to forfeit
By Billy G. Baker Publisher 17 May, 2024
Summerville loses on forfeit over pitch-count rule violation
By Billy Baker 17 May, 2024
By Billy G. Baker Publisher Moncks Corner — In a Lower State AAAAA softball play-off game continued from a second inning rain-out the night before, (May, 15), between Berkeley (19-9) and Chapin (22-8) , the home standing Stags won a pitcher’s duel 2-0 to advance to play Summerville on May, 17. The Stags have a tall order on their plate needing to defeat the top-ranked Green Wave twice in order to advance. The state championship series is scheduled to begin on Monday at the upper state champion s home field. Game two will revert back to the lower state’s team home field on Wednesday. If a third game tie-breaker is needed it will be played at neutral site on Friday (May, 24). After the win Berkley head coach Kelly Dillon shared some thoughts with the HSSR. “In my tenure at Berkeley this is our third trip to the Lower state finals and I am so proud of my team and the adversity they have overcome this season,” said Coach Dillon. “We have had some adversity with the weather and we lost one of our key players to an injury recently ( Savannah Scott ) and we have remained tough and focused on our goals anyway. “We played small ball in the bottom of the 6th because when you need just one run to win you play to win,” said Coach Dillon. “I am very thankful; for a great bunting team. Every time I have asked for it to be put down, they have put it down so I am very proud to our commitment to the cause.” ( Courtlyn Cox delivered a perfect bunt that advanced the runner into scoring position in the bottom of the 6 th inning.) “We know we have a challenge going over to Summerville on Friday needing to win two games and you never know what might happen,” said Coach Dillon. “We are hungry and we are on a mission and we are playing moment to moment so we hope to at our best on Friday.” Chapin head coach Cal Sayger is wrapping up his 7 th season at Chapin. ”we have been fighting the weather all during the play-offs,” said Coach Sayger. “We just made too many mistakes in this game tonight. We have the program on sound footing. We have won back-to-back region titles and I very proud of the commitment all of our players have made to the success tour program.” Coach Sayger is saying good bye to four seniors. They include pitcher Aspen Mayers , Ella Maychiva k, third baseman Andree Dircks , and outfielder Alexia Evans . “These girls have been in the program since the e8th grade a d they will be missed,” said Coach Sayger. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the 6 th inning. The Stags Rileigh Ballentine led off with a single to center field. Courtlyn Cox’s Sac bunt moved Ballentine over to second base. She moved over to third, on a passed ball, while Brooklyn Moon was batting. Moon singled in Ballentine for the first run of the game. Ansley Riddle then doubled, barely missing a home run against the fence in deep center field. This hit put runners at second and third with one-out. An RBI ground-out by Camden Valicek scored Moon to give Berkeley all the runs they would need to win the game. Berkeley pitcher Reese Watson worked all seven innings, allowing only four hits. Watson’s six strike-outs in the game now gives her 201 on the season in 120 innings pitched with an ERA of 1.20.
By Roger Lee 17 May, 2024
Pinewood Prep claims the 2024 SCISA 3A Boys Soccer Championship
By Roger Lee 17 May, 2024
Pinewood Prep claimed the 2024 SCISA 4A Girls Soccer Championship. 
More Posts
Share by: