Lady Tigers aim for third straight trip to region

The Hardin County High School softball team has put together two of their more impressive seasons in recent history over the last two years. The Lady Tigers have finished each of the last two seasons in the region quarterfinals.

Hardin County finished last year with a record of 22-12 overall. They lost to Bolton in the region quarterfinals for the second straight season.

The Lady Tigers are optimistic about the upcoming season with several players returning who have picked up game experience over the last few seasons. Seniors Kristen Lackey, Beth Plunk, Tatia Guinn, and Karlie Roser will each be counted on to have successful seasons for the Lady Tigers.

Lackey posted a 19-12 record as pitcher for Hardin County with a 1.93 earned run average and 104 strikeouts. She also posted an impressive .430 batting average at the plate. Lackey also had a .570 on-base percentage with 25 runs, 20 RBIs, and three home runs. She also was a threat on the base paths with 17 stolen bases during her junior season.

Plunk will be the starter at shortstop for the Lady Tigers. She had a .290 batting average with a .400 on-base percentage during her junior season. Plunk scored 23 runs and also had 23 RBIs last year.

Guinn also had success at the plate last year with a .360 batting average and a .510 on-base percentage. She had 19 runs scored and 16 RBIs.

Roser returns with Guinn to solidify the outfield in 2010. Roser was a starter for Hardin County last year and will hold down the right field position this spring.

Katie McGee is expected to be the starter at first base and bat near the top of the Lady Tiger batting order this spring. Other projected starters include Katie Terry at third base, Cassidy Frazier at second base, Allie Boyd in left field, and Kaitlin Snyder at catcher.

Other players who could contribute this season include Mallory Stanley, Bell Nuzzo, Sheridan Rathai, and Taylor Wright. Karlee Wyatt will miss the 2010 season due to injury.

Head coach Jason Dennis feels like pitching, defense, and the top five in their batting order should be strengths of this year’s team. The Lady Tigers have six players returning who were very good defensively and three freshmen who should do well, according to Dennis. The Lady Tiger head coach also feels like the top half of the lineup should be very strong in 2010.

The overall goal for Hardin County is to at least equal the outcome of each of the last two seasons. “Our goals for this year are to learn a lot about the game of softball early, and hope to be playing the best softball of our season by tournament time,” said Dennis.