Last updated on March 9, 2019
By Erin Holloway
The Volunteer State Community College baseball and softball 2019 season is approaching. After their 2017-18 campaigns ended, the teams began preparing for another run.
The softball team finished third in the conference last season, finishing with a record of 33-13, and with most of last year’s players returning except for two.
Head Coach Johnny Lynn said that he believes this team “has the skills to go far,” also noting that “as a team, our speed can do some damage,” with returning All-American Ma’Liya Stone, big hitters Hannah Marlar and Ciera Purvis, and the acquisition of freshman Emilee Hanlon.
His expectations are high for this team because he said they have the talent and potential, “We do everything good, but if we come together as a unit, as a family, and play together, we’ll be fine.”
With those four leading the charge, the rest of the team can simply just need to do their respective jobs.
“If we have consistent play from everyone outside of those players, our team will be complete,” Lynn said.
The season starts Feb. 17, at noon against Sinclair Community College at Vol State’s main campus in Gallatin.
The baseball team, also finished third in the conference, posting a 30-18 record, and lost a number of players with only few returning.
“We mostly lost pitching and infield defense,” said Pioneers Head Coach Ryan Hunt.
The team needs more depth at certain positions, but Hunt said that he feels that with this group he has so far, the talent is there, and they have a lot of motivation.
The return of Bill Hamilton and Lofton Cotton, the 2019 Pioneers are ready to hit the diamond after falling short two runs of the championship game, falling 8-7, to Dyersburg State Community College in the TCCAA semifinals last season.
The season starts Feb. 8, at 5 p.m., against Coastal Alabama East in Pensacola, Florida, where the Pioneers baseball team will have a four-game weekend ending Sunday with the final game against Chattahoocee Valley at 11 a.m.
Comments are closed.