Huskies feature slightly different look, same expectations in 2022

It was pretty clear from the first pitch last spring that the Hewitt-Trussville High School softball team was the one to beat throughout the state.

The Huskies hardly allowed anyone to entertain a different thought, as they blew past nearly everyone on their schedule and posted a 49-3-1 schedule en route to a second Class 7A state title in three years (second straight since the 2020 season was canceled).

Head coach Taylor Burt called it “by far the most talented team I’ve ever coached.” There were still challenging moments throughout the season, but the Huskies handled everything thrown at them.

“We had to find our identity and leaders, as well as find a balance between hard work and not getting too complacent because we were winning so much,” she said.

The evidence backs up her assertion, as four of Hewitt’s eight seniors from last year are now playing college softball. Infielder Jenna Lord is now at the University of Alabama, outfielder Anyce Harvey is at Middle Tennessee, Katelyn Murphy is at Samford and Madi Mitchell is playing at Birmingham-Southern.

Crystal Maze, Tori Hyde, Meredith Whitt and Hannah Dobbins also graduated from last year’s team.

“It’s nice when you have that many athletes that are going on to play at the next level and have bought into the program and want to be successful,” Burt said.

Turning the page to 2022, the talent and potential is certainly there for Hewitt-Trussville to make a run at a third title. However, it likely won’t be a simple journey and almost assuredly will not feature the same explosiveness as last year’s offense.

The Huskies have eight seniors once again, with four of them currently holding plans to play at the next level. Infielder Riley Tyree and pitcher Sarah Hindman have signed with community colleges in Mississippi, with Tyree heading to Itawamba and Hindman going to Northeast. Catcher Ana Henson plans to play at Southern Union in Wadley and infielder Riley Rudick is set to play at Huntingdon in Montgomery.

Maddie Wallace, Olivia Stults, Emily Onofry and Kaley Fuller are also playing their final seasons in Huskies uniforms.

Burt is interested to see how this year’s senior class develops, given the differences in dynamic from the past few years. In 2019 and 2021, the Huskies had strong, vocal leadership from the senior class. At the outset of the 2022 campaign, that wasn’t yet the case for the current crop of upperclassmen.

“We’re going to have to have a few of them step up as leaders,” Burt said. “It’ll be interesting to see who emerges. They can all play their own part. That’s our most important thing to figure out, finding who’s going to mesh where.

If the Huskies can figure out the leadership component, the on-field production should take care of itself. There are a handful of players returning that have significant experience.

Burt feels strongly about what she has in the circle with the combination of Hindman and sophomore Sara Phillips, a duo that posted a combined 31-1 record last season.

Freshman Zaylen Tucker logged plenty of innings last year and should be expected to do so once again if healthy. Burt said there are also some younger arms in the program that have a chance to make an impact.

“We’ve always been by-committee (with the pitching staff) and I don’t plan on having one horse,” she said.

A conversation about the Huskies’ bats has to begin with shortstop Kenleigh Cahalan, who hit for a .523 average with 17 home runs and 86 runs batted in. She was also named the Class 7A Hitter of the Year and was a first-team all-state selection. Second baseman Hannah Dorsett was a standout player last year as well and should have been included on the all-state team.

Cahalan and Dorsett headline a junior class that also includes Rubie Simon, Gracie Reeves and Taylor Davis. Simon has the most varsity experience of the latter three and will be relied upon to hold down one of the outfield spots more than likely.

“When it comes to scoring runs, we’re going to have to be a little more creative; be more aggressive on the bases, steal more bases and be more situation-minded,” Burt said. “But we’re still going to be able to produce runs.”

Burt said there is plenty of competition at several spots entering the season, but the Huskies will be one of the frontrunners once again. She is eager to see what her team can accomplish this spring.

“This group really likes each other and I’m looking forward to this year,” she said. “They’re a fun group.”