With new coach, Indians looking for another historic season
The Pinson Valley High School softball team made program history in 2017.
The Indians put together the most successful season in school history, reaching the Class 6A North Central Regional and coming one win away from advancing to the state tournament.
Three key contributors to that team — Lauren Keplinger, Destinee Cole and Hana Presley — are playing college softball now, and coach Laurin Watts is now at Prattville. But what the Indians still have appears capable of making another run.
Returning from that team is an infield with a significant amount of experience and a few others who have played key roles in recent seasons.
From first to third, Shauna Clevenger, Savannah Mayes, Graci Graves and Maddie Pliscofsky are all back and having successful seasons so far. Clevenger, Mayes and Graves are juniors, while Pliscofsky is one of the team’s three seniors.
Sophomore Jordan Walker and senior Maison Tanner are back in the outfield, and Ka’Mya Hampton returns as a versatile player who can hit in the middle of the lineup and pitch as well. Along with Pliscofsky and Tanner, Ande Findley is the other senior for the Indians.
That much returning experience has helped in the learning process that naturally comes with having a new coach. Stephanie Graham said she has been impressed with how the players have reacted so far.
“Having a new coach is always a big adjustment,” the first-year coach said. “You just have to get used to the new style, the new expectations. The girls are adjusting very well. They’re coming at it with an open mind, open hearts, and I think everybody’s excited about what the season has to hold.”
Keplinger ate up the lions’ share of innings last season, and the Indians have employed a staff this year to replace her production. Hope Cole, Hampton, Walker and Kyla Smith have each made several appearances. Graham said she believes in keeping multiple arms fresh and active when possible.
“As long as all four of them are throwing hard and throwing well, we’ll throw all four of them in the starting pitcher position,” she said.
Mollie Peoples has stepped into the catcher’s role that was vacated by Presley, and Graham lauded her competitiveness for allowing her to claim the spot and excel in it. Eighth-grader Charlotte Phillips gave Graham no choice but to find a spot in the lineup for her, as Phillips has seen plenty of time in left field and played catcher on occasion.
“You would typically think an eighth-grader’s going to be timid, going to be afraid, but that girl has come in here and she’s a force to be reckoned with,” Graham said.
Lauren Hallmark and Keara Gibbs round out the varsity roster. Through March 17, the Indians boasted a 9-9 overall mark and have a great shot of returning to the regional tournament. Graham is not putting it past them.
“They work really hard, and I think they’re going to do everything anybody asks of them,” Graham said.