Communication key for Lady Hornets
BY SAM PIERCE STAFF WRITER
The key for the Bryant Lady Hornets this season will be communication and their performances in tournaments. “We have worked a lot on communication in the field,” head coach Lisa Dreher said. “We have to talk to each other before, after and during plays. “I don’t think it has been a strong point for us ever, and we are still trying to improve on it.” Dreher said she would also like to see her team do better in tournaments. “Of our five losses, only one was a regular-season game; the rest were in tournaments,” Dreher said. The lone loss was to Sheridan High School, who won the 6A state championship in 2017. This year, Bryant will play in the Drew Melton Memorial Tournament at Benton and the 2018 Southern Warrior Classic Tournament in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, later this month. Dreher said Bryant will play 14 games there. “It should be a real test,” she said. Last year, Bryant made it to the quarter finals of the state tournament before losing 17-9 to North Little Rock High School. “I couldn’t believe how well they were hitting,” Dreher said. “Our pitchers were making good pitches; they were just hitting them.” Dreher said she also hopes Bryant will score more runs this year and make a further run in the state tournament. “Hopefully, better than last year,” she said. Bryant has seven seniors returning this year, six of whom start, including senior leadoff batter Regan Ryan. “Regan is a big help offensively,” Dreher said. “She has been our leadoff the past couple of years. She understands the game and leads the defense well. “She has done a good job leading off.” Dreher said outfielder Regan Keesee “has done a good job in the outfield.” “I look forward to her being a threat offensively,” Dreher said. “She has been working on her approach at the plate.” The coach said Keesee splits time between center field and right field, depending on who is pitching. “Madison Stephens plays left, and she is my situational hitter,” Dreher said. “She comes through in big situations. “We had several occasions where she has done a good job. When we need a base hit, she seems to come through.” After signing with Tennessee State University, senior pitcher Raven Loveless has put her focus on softball. “She is a real strong pitcher, and she has been able to work out with us during the offseason,” Dreher said. “I think she will get a stronger start than in the past because she is not coming from basketball. “It is nice to have her in the first week. Usually, it would be spring break before we get her.” Loveless will also play third base when she isn’t pitching. “Brooklyn Trammell just signed with Lyon College [in Batesville], and she is obviously a power hitter,” Dreher said. “She has improved tremendously offensively.” Sarah Evans, who signed with Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, led Bryant in just about every offensive category last season. And this offseason, Dreher moved Evans from second base to shortstop. “She has made the adjustment well,” the coach said. “She has done everything we have asked from her there. “We had a role to fill there, and she has done just as well as she did at second. She has a strong arm and good range. “She has stepped up as a leader, and I thought it was fitting.” Junior catcher Meagan Chism has committed to the University of Memphis. “She is another good vocal leader,” Dreher said. “She is pretty self-motivated, and we couldn’t ask more of her. “She has a pretty good stick at the plate.” Sophomore Gianni Hulett will split time at pitcher with Loveless and will also play center field for Bryant. “She has the strongest arm and biggest range,” Dreher said. “She is just all around a hard-worker and very coachable. “She has a lot of natural talent.” Dreher said she has high expectations for this group. “We’ve focused on a lot of other things, and we need to clean up our hitting mechanics at this point,” she said. “We’re at a good place going into our first game. “We have some young talent that we’re trying to develop. I think our ultimate success at the varsity level will depend on if those key players can step up and fill a spot or two.”