The Weatherford Lady Eagles softball team is full of experience as they have nine seniors on this year’s roster and some unfinished business as well.
“We have a chance to be really good,” coach Rick Morris said. “We have nine seniors and most of them will be starting and I am looking forward to the season.”
Weatherford is replacing three seniors from last year’s team — Bailee Pond, Sarah Kirby and Summer Bass. Morris said he is moving Camry Teasley from shortstop to second base, to replace Kirby, and will move Ember Hensley to shortstop where Teasley played last year.
“We have some seniors who can play and will fill those roles,” Morris said. “Third base is open and we have a couple girls competing for that spot. I am moving Megan Mills to center field to take Summer Bass’s spot and Hunter Bayless is going to play in the outfield.”
Teasley said it will be a good change being at shortstop. “It will be good, but
“It will be good, but different,” Teasley said. “I am excited for Ember and I think she will play really well in the infield. We just have to take it one game at a time and see where everything goes from there.”
Despite finishing second in the district last season, Weatherford traveled to Purcell for regionals. The Lady Eagles dropped both games, losing to Chickasha 7-5 and McLoud 7-5.
“We had an issue at the end of the year at regionals,” Morris said. “We had a great season last year, but did not play well at regionals. These seniors are hungry and are ready to get back on the field.”
Senior Meliah Brown will be the primary starting pitcher for the Lady Eagles. Autumn Phillips and freshman Daicee Morris also will see time as starting pitchers.
“I am excited to be the starter, but we lost a really good pitcher last season in Andrea Price,” Brown said. “I am going to be a leader to the younger players and the other seniors are going to do the same thing. We have been working hard and are excited for the softball season.”
Senior first baseman Abbie Moses said there is a lot of leadership on the team.
“I am excited for my senior season,” Moses said. “We have a great group of seniors and I am really confident in the underclassmen. They will play great this season and will continue to play great once the seniors graduate. We are super excited for the season to begin.”
Morris said if COVID-19 effects any players or they have to miss a game, someone will need to step up into the starting role.
“I tell the girls there will be injuries and people will get sick,” Morris said. “It is just the next girl up. We have so much depth and a lot of youngsters who can swing the bat. If somebody is not able to play, it is just the next girl up and we will keep rolling.”
The Lady Eagles begin their season, 5:45 p.m. at home against Hydro-Eakly. The team will go ahead and celebrate is senior night before the game.