Lady Cardinals hope for bounce back season

The Adamsville High School softball team has proven to be one of the better programs in West Tennessee over the last few years. The Lady Cardinals reached the state tournament in 2007 and advanced to the sectional round in both 2006 and 2008.

However, Adamsville failed to advance past the district tournament in 2009. They finished the season with a record of 13-16-1. The Lady Cardinals are hopeful that they can compete deep in the postseason in 2010.

Adamsville will have several players returning with experience this spring. The Lady Cardinals return seven seniors – Halley Beckham, Kasey Martin, Alaina Davis, Hilary Combs, Madalyn Bruce, Lani Rinks, and Stephanie Combs – to this year’s team. Each of these seniors will be expected to assume even larger roles this season.

Beckham, who missed all of her junior season due to injury, will be counted on as the ace of the Lady Cardinal pitching staff. Adamsville head coach Todd McGee stated that her return to her level of performance two years ago will be vital to the success of this year’s team. Freshmen Taylor Hutton and Samantha Oaks will provide depth at pitcher.

Davis will handle the catching duties for the Lady Cardinals. Sophomore Brittany Lambert will provide depth behind the plate. Rinks, a four-year starter, will anchor the infield from her shortstop position. Rinks had an on-base percentage of .444 last year during her junior season. H. Combs and Bruce will join Rinks on the infield at second and third base. Freshman Whitney Wrzeneski will play first base. Other infielders who could see time are Brianne Knight, Nikki White, and Kristina Milford.

The senior duo of S. Combs and Martin will hold down two of the outfield spots for Adamsville. Junior Corrie Hill will take care of the other spot in the outfield. Other outfield possibilities include Macayla Kiddy and Amanda Krenson.

McGee feels like two of the strengths of this year’s team will be pitching and experience. “It seemed like the entire team had a tough year at the plate last year. I am expecting us to turn that around this season. We need several of our players to perform over last year’s level. Most of our players can accomplish this if they continue to improve,” said McGee.