Phillips Looking For Carolina Academy Softball To Contend
Pitching and catching are two critical positions in softball and Carolina Academy has two of the best players in SCISA with seniors Raeley Frye and Carlie Ann Smith.
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Lake City – There are times when Carolina Academy softball coach Scotty Phillips wonders why he keeps coming back to coach the Bobcats.
Phillips has spent more than two dozen years in the dugout but admits it get tougher each year in dealing with teenagers. Phillips is old-school and demands things be done in a certain way. Today’s players don’t always walk in line.
But winning a state title is enough to keep the coach coming back. Carolina Academy won the state championship last spring and with most of that team returning, the Bobcats are sure to be a contender once again. But not without bumps along the way.
“They’re a good group of girls but they are teenagers and it’s not as easy as it looks sometimes,” Phillips said. “We’re up and down in terms of intensity. Somedays they show up and really aren’t into playing. I guess what we try to do is focus on when it matters most but I would prefer we come to the field ready to work every day. Last year we ended strong but it took a half a year to get to where we needed to be.”
The Bobcats have been up and down early on in tournament play but Phillips sees plenty of potential.
“They know what to do, how to play. We just have find a way to get them to play to their potential more consistently,” he said.
Pitching and catching are two critical positions in softball and Carolina Academy has two of the best players in SCISA. Senior Raeley Frye is a fifth-year pitcher who is capable of dominating a game. Senior catcher Carlie Ann Smith also rates as one of the best in the state.
“As long as have those two, we have a chance,” Phillips said.
Sophomore Lauren Sims is back as the starter at third base while freshman Paisley McCutcheon is a returning starter at shortstop. Freshman Natalie Braveboy returns at second base and sophomore Ella Ham shares first base duties with junior Lexi McCutcheon. Ham also will pitch some.
Savannah McCutcheon, Emma Amos, Paisley Coker and Kayla Lyerly are vying for time in the outfield. Hannah Grace Matthews, Jennifer Vargas, Savannah McCutcheon and Katherine Holliday round out the squad this spring.
“Offensively we are a work in progress but we have potential,” Phllips said. “I think we will be a pretty good defensive team as we move forward. We’ll be alright before all is said and done. “Maybe I complain too much.”
