Hungry for state: After taste of tournament in 2015, Hewitt softball aims to go further

To Hewitt-Trussville shortstop Maddie Dorsett, the feeling is still pretty fresh.

The Mississippi State commit remembers the unsure steps she and the Huskies took last spring in Lagoon Park — the mecca of Alabama high school softball and host site of the AHSAA state tournament.

“We didn’t know what to expect and we just kind of crumbled and we had a chance to go all the way last year,” said Dorsett, following a chilly round of pre-season batting practice.

The Huskies entered the 2015 state tournament fresh off a 16-1 thrashing of second-ranked Spain Park in the North-Central Regional, but that offense was nowhere to be found in Montgomery, where a quick 0-2 outing ended an otherwise stellar season.

“I was so new, I was just glad that we made it to state,” said newly appointed head coach Jordan Burson. “Obviously, we were there to win it, but I just think everyone was a little jittery last year. Things just didn’t go our way and we couldn’t get the runs going.”

Burson served as an assistant under head coach Karen Johns last year and was promoted to his first head coaching position in January. According to Johns, who serves as the school’s athletics director, she will remain involved with the team this coming season.

With her involvement or without it, Hewitt-Trussville enters the 2016 season as a Class 7A, Area 6 contender. What makes the Huskies primed for another climb to Montgomery, where the state championship trophy waits to be held?

For an answer, Burson looks to that dusty circle.

The first-year head coach — a disciple of Alabama head softball coach Patrick Murphy — specializes in the craft of pitching. Like an artist with a slab of untouched paint and an open canvas, Burson relishes a season so ripe with possibility.

In his bullpen, Burson has a pair of experienced arms. Bailey Murphy and Callie Shields look to headline what the Husky faithful believe will be a strong year on the rubber.

“We just want to see them thrive this year, as they’re both going to have ample opportunities to step up,” said Burson, as his team readied for a Thursday practice. “We don’t have a clear No. 1 at this point. They’re both going to have opportunities and whoever wants it can have it.”

Although he claims there’s an open competition to be his No. 1 arm, one can only assume Murphy — a second-team All-State selection as a junior in 2015 — will be called upon in the stickiest of situations.

Murphy finished a strong junior season with 180 strikeouts and 43 walks in over 140 innings of work. She surrendered 96 hits and 36 earned runs to claim a 1.76 ERA in her first season with the Huskies.

The lefty transferred to Hewitt-Trussville following her sophomore season at Class 5A Mortimer Jordan, and has quickly found a home at her new school.

“I’ve gotten so much closer to these girls. I feel like they’re my family right now,” said Murphy. “They’re the ones I come and talk to if I have any problems, because we’re like one big family.”

Shields didn’t contribute on the mound for the Huskies until the second half of last spring. She came on strong with 33 strikeouts and 21 walks in over 75 innings of work in the circle. With 872 pitches thrown, Shields owns a 2.39 ERA coming into this season.

Molly Cobb is also expected to log innings for Burson this season. She recorded 27 strikeouts in over 44 innings of work last year.

Backing up those arms will be a seasoned infield, which brings back all but one of last year’s starters. While departed catcher Taylor Beshears — she signed with Wallace State --—won’t be easily replaced, Sarah and Hannah Borden will get the chance.

Dorsett and second baseman Abby Inman provide reliable gloves up the middle. The pair has a wealth of experience playing together and sees that as an advantage moving forward.

“Me and Abby (Inman) have worked together for a couple of years now and we trust each other a lot and that’s what you have to have in the middle, you can’t have someone that you aren’t used to,” said Dorsett. “I feel like we’re going to turn a lot of double plays this year.”

Tate Moseley will replace Amber Hammonds as the quarterback of the outfield. Moseley provides range to a relatively inexperienced outfield. She hit .423 last year with 26 runs batted in on 58 hits.

When asked about an upcoming varsity player to watch in 2016, Dorsett didn’t hesitate to praise ninth-grade outfielder Kailey Walters.

“She played a little bit with us last year and she did awesome, but she’s worked hard and it’s showing off and I’m very excited to see what she brings for us this year,” said Dorsett.

Hewitt-Trussville finished 35-11 last season, and expects more in Burson’s first season leading the way.

“I think we match up pretty well. It’s 7A so it’s the best of the best and our area being tough like this will only make us work harder and strive to be the best,” Murphy said.

“Our expectation is going all the way, but we’re just going to have fun, work hard and do everything we can to get there,” Dorsett said.