Two years ago, Trigg County’s softball program made history when they won a district tournament game and advanced to the Fifth District championship for the first time since fast-pitch was introduced in 1995. Last year, they played even better but ran into a tough district draw and lost in the first round.
This year, a large junior class is trying to bring the school their first fast-pitch district title and first softball title since 1994.
Junior Hannah Colbert returns in the circle for the Lady Wildcats where she was 12-12 last year with a 2.74 ERA with 138 strikeouts in 168 innings.
Trigg returns half their infield from last year. First baseman Madison Simpson (.398, 22 RBIs) and third baseman Autumn Durham (13 RBIs, team-high 17 walks) anchor the corners. Logan Darnall (.385, 18 RBIs) moves from the outfield to shortstop, while sophomore Raelyn Marlowe and freshman Kara Southwood will battle to take over for the injured T.T. Grubbs at second base.
Sophomores Abby Terrell and Maggie Snodgrass should be joined in the outfield by Phelan Dossett. Junior Ashlyn Keller takes over behind the plate.
The Lady Wildcats had a top-heavy offense last year that hit .276 as a team but only three returning starters hit over .220. Offense has been a priority for Coach Toree McMain, who enters her fourth season as Lady Wildcat coach and is already the winningest fast-pitch coach with a record of 43-50.
If their offense improves at the same rapid pace their defense and pitching has in the last two years, Trigg County could very well be playing for a district title in May.