The Press-Dispatch

March 30, 2022

The Press-Dispatch

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The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, March 30, 2022 C-5 Avery Hunt Sophie Carnahan Pike Central 2022 softball team members are front row (l to r): Aliyah Delacruz, Elizabeth Hill, Jaidyn Gogel, Karley Kavanaugh, Madelyn Fiscus, Brailey Mills, Del- aney Welch, Macey Stilwell, Lakin Sorgius and Lexie Onyett. Back row: Assistant coaches Dave Pipes and Rachelle Johnson, Avery Hunt, Tessa Vinnedge, Sophie Carnahan, Chloe Williams, Chloe Willis, Haylie Fulcher, Alyna Sharp, Myra Hensler and Head Coach Dustin Traylor. Not pictured is Kylee Baker. Long-time Pike County resident to lead Charger Softball By Kenzie Rudolph Daves Lady Charger softball has a new coach in charge, a long- time Pike County resident, Dustin Traylor. Tray- lor is new to coaching at the high school lev- el, but has spent ma- ny years with travel softball. "Pike Central Charger Softball has a very deep tradition. Being able to carry on and contribute to that tradition is why I applied for the po- sition. I have always heard that you do not truly realize how much you miss something until you stop do- ing it," explained Traylor in regards to why he was inter- ested in this open spot. He added that watching games from the sidelines and not being in the dugout or base-coaching left a void that could not be filled. He exclaimed, "I was hon- ored to be offered the posi- tion and it has been nonstop since then." He said that stability is im- portant to any program, and "unfortunately, our program has been a state of flux with many changes over the past several years…" He knows he needs to step up to give that stability mov- ing forward. Coaching alongside Tray- lor is Dave Pipes, Varsity As- sistant, and Rachelle Johns, JV coach. He added that Pipes has coached travel soft- ball and in middle school pro- gram. Johns is a former play- er in the program and played in college, too. "She has been with the program in the past as an assistant under Coach Weisman and Coach Aus- tin. Both (coaches alongside him) have a ton of softball knowledge and experience," said Traylor. So far this season, Tray- lor said they all have real- ly just been getting to know each other. "Coaches learn- ing about the players and the players learning about the coaches," he explained. "My main goal was to make sure the players knew that this was their time to shine, show their abilities and what they can bring to our team," said Traylor. So far, practices have been fun, he said, work- ing on the basics like hitting, fielding and footwork…" but also observing how they in- teract with each other." Their program graduat- ed three seniors from last year's successful Section- al Championship team. Traylor added that they lost their first and sec- ond basemen. He explained, "Rebuild- ing that side of the infield was a tall order, but I feel like we have filled those positions nicely." To start the season, the Charger ladies were able to scrimmage Evansville North on March 16. Tray- lor said it was "a great learn- ing experience for everyone involved, both Varsity and JV, but also the coaches as well." He was thrilled to see "game speed" which can be hard to replicate in a prac- tice-setting. Traylor believes that this conference is tough, "one of the toughest conferences in the state in my opinion." He added, "Our conference has perennial powerhous- es like Gibson Southern, Te- cumseh and Boonville, along with North Posey, Mount Ver- non, Heritage Hills and South Spencer." He thinks they will be tested hard before Sec- tional play begins. He wants the players to constantly play hard, and re- minds them to not stress over mistakes. "Mistakes are go- ing to happen, that is just part of the game. But it's what they do after making the mistake that can really influence the game," said Traylor about his coaching style. He knows it is important for players to have short-term memories and not to dwell, to be ready for the next pitch always. Seniority wise, Avery Hunt and Sophie Carnahan will bring experience. "Both seniors are stepping into their leadership roles seamlessly; it is really all the little things they do that has the biggest impacts," said Traylor. He added that they give support, lead stretches and drills and close down the practice huddle each day. Carnahan will bring a mix of pitcher, first base and out- field. Traylor mentioned that she is hitting the ball well. Hunt will be found on first base. Junior Chloe Williams should see rubber time this spring. Traylor said, "She will be our number one pitcher this year and one of the dominant pitchers in Southern Indiana. She has a big bat that we will have to get in the lineup as often as possible." He add- ed that she made All-Confer- ence Honorable Mention last year. Madelyn Fiscus is another varsity junior at second base or catcher. Traylor added that she has "a great feel for the game." Junior Delaney Welch will be on third, or "hot corner" as Traylor phrased. "She has great instincts and great hands," explained coach Traylor. Another Junior is outfield- er Alyna Sharp, who reads the ball well off the bat, ac- cording to Traylor. Joining Sharp in the out- field as a junior is Tessa Vinnedge, who will be found in right. Traylor added that she "has a very strong arm." Sophomore Lexie Onyett should catch. "She has great softball instincts, and I will expect a lot out of her to di- rect traffic and be the field general," added Traylor. The shortstop is a soph- omore, Karley Kavanaugh. "Karley will anchor the mid- dle infield; she has a great understanding of the game," said Traylor. Another sophomore, Brai- ley Mills, will add to the out- field in center. Traylor said she will be leadoff batter and added that she was sec- ond team All-Conference last season. "Our junior varsity play- ers are pushing hard to see some varsity action as well. There is a lot of talent on the JV team, and they have been turning some heads in prac- tice," ended Traylor. Both seniors are stepping into their leadership roles seamlessly; it is really all the little things they do that has the biggest impacts." –Coach Dustin Traylor GIRL'S VARSITY SOFTBALL Day Date Time Opponent Location H/A Fri 4/1 5:30 PM Bedford North Lawrence Pike Central Home Tue 4/5 5:30 PM North Daviess North Daviess Away Thu 4/7 5:00 PM Loogootee Loogootee Away Fri 4/8 12:00 AM Boonville Southern Slam Boonville Away Sat 4/9 12:00 AM Boonville Southern Slam Boonville Away Sat 4/9 3:00 PM Boonville Southern Slam Boonville Away Tue 4/12 6:00 PM Tecumseh Pike Central Home Thu 4/14 5:00 PM North Knox Pike Central Home Mon 4/18 6:00 PM Heritage Hills Heritage Hills Away Tue 4/19 6:00 PM Princeton Community Princeton Community Away Thu 4/21 6:00 PM Wood Memorial Wood Memorial High Away Fri 4/22 3:30 PM Sports Pictures Pike Central Home Mon 4/25 6:00 PM Boonville Boonville Away Wed 4/27 6:00 PM Washington Washington Away Thu 4/28 5:30 PM Southridge Pike Central Home Mon 5/2 5:00 PM Vincennes Lincoln Pike Central Home Wed 5/4 6:00 PM South Spencer Pike Central Home Sat 5/7 11:00 AM Mount Verno Pike Central Home Tue 5/10 6:00 PM North Posey North Posey Away Thu 5/12 5:30 PM Forest Park Pike Central Home Sat 5/14 12:00 PM Gibson Southern Pike Central Home GIRL'S VARSITY SOFTBALL (CONTINUED) Mon 5/16 6:00 PM Evansville North Pike Central Home Wed 5/18 6:30 PM Tell City Pike Central Home Thu 5/19 5:30 PM Northeast Dubois Northeast Dubois Away GIRL'S JV SOFTBALL Day Date Time Opponent Location H/A Thu Apr 7 6:30 PM Loogootee Loogootee Away Tue Apr 12 7:30 PM Tecumseh Pike Central Home Thu Apr 14 6:30 PM North Knox Pike Central Home Mon Apr 18 7:30 PM Heritage Hills Heritage Hills Away Mon Apr 25 7:30 PM Boonville Boonville Away Wed Apr 27 7:30 PM Washington Washington Away Thu Apr 28 7:00 PM Southridge Pike Central Home Mon May 2 6:30 PM Vincennes Lincoln Pike Central Home Sat May 7 12:30 PM Mount Vernon HS Pike Central Home Tue May 10 7:30 PM North Posey North Posey Away Thu May 12 7:00 PM Forest Park Pike Central Home Sat May 14 1:30 PM Gibson Southern Pike Central Home Mon May 16 7:30 PM Evansville North Pike Central Home Wed May 18 8:00 PM Tell City Pike Central Home Thu May 19 5:30 PM Northeast Dubois Northeast Dubois Away

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