Parkers Chapel taking aim at banner season
Parkers Chapel enters the 2020 season with a new voice at the helm of the program.
Miranda Carlisle, who was an assistant coach for the Hall of Fame St. Louis Illusions travel ball team in Missouri for two years before a two-year stint as an assistant coach at Randolph College in Virginia, takes over the reins of the program.
The Lady Trojans, who went 19-7 a year ago and won the 8-2A conference, have plenty of firepower back.
Senior Kenlee McAuliffe, who shares the lead in RBIs with six in four games, returns and will be splitting time between third base and at catcher. Junior Taylor Fortune also will see time behind the plate.
Junior Ali Looney, who is hitting .500 in the early going, joins seniors Jana Milam and Kamryn Cross along the infield, although Carlisle said versatility will be a major factor for her team.
“All I can say right now is that you will definitely see my players in more than one role on the field,” Carlisle said. “My first baseman Kamryn Cross is my starting third baseman when my normal starter Kenlee McAuliffe is catching. My pitcher Drue Thomas plays shortstop when Ashton Herrin is pitching. My team is versatile, and you’ll see them all over the field.”
In the outfield, senior Kylie Jones, who is off to a hot start by hitting .583 with three extra-base hits and six RBIs, joins fellow senior Kaylin Waller and junior Macie Wood.
Parkers Chapel has been very aggressive on the basepaths early on, stealing 21 bases in four games with Jones and McAuliffe tallying four steals apiece.
“My outfield remains strong, and they will shift as needed along with dynamic running and a hitting bench,” Carlisle said.
Parkers Chapel has plenty of experience in the circle with junior Drue Thomas back.
Thomas has been dominant thus far, posting a 1.70 ERA and allowing just five hits in just 12 1/3 innings while racking up 24 strikeouts.
However, the Lady Trojans also have depth on the pitching staff with sophomore Ashton Herrin and Jones also getting work early on.
“I have three solid pitchers with four others in
the works,” Carlisle said. “The majority of the pitching will be split between Kylie Jones, Ashton Herrin, and Drue Thomas. We may also see an appearance or two from Kenlee McAuliffe, Sable Doss, Lexi Killingsworth and Carly Fennell as the season goes, depending on what's needed.”
The Lady Trojans are off to a 2-2 start after rallying for a 4-2 win over Bradley on Tuesday, and Carlisle has high expectations for her team.
“I am expecting to have a strong team this year,” Carlisle said. “We are versatile and have the drive to win. We're strong on the field and at bat, and can only improve the chemistry of the team.
“We are ready to come out strong this season and will only get better as the season goes.”
Carlisle has been getting acclimated to the competition in Arkansas, and she believes the Lady Trojans will have a tough road ahead in their quest to repeat as league champions.
“I am new to Arkansas, so I am not as familiar with this conference,” Carlisle said.
“But from what I've seen, we have some good competition, but as long as we stick true to who we are as a team and embrace the mentality of champions, then we'll come out the way we should.”
Carlisle said there will be several factors for the Lady Trojans to have a solid year.
“Our keys to success are our variation in pitchers, strong hitting lineup and team mentality,” Carlisle said.
“We have multiple pitchers each with different speeds and strengths that will be an asset to our team this year. We have a strong hitting lineup all the way through and are only improving in this area, and we are a team.
“We embrace that no individual can make us champions. takes all 28 of us to reach our goals and come out on top.
“Our field is strong, our lineup is driven and our bench is dynamic. As long as we keep the team mentality, we will have a great season.”
It