Coach: ‘high-powered offense’ to propel Lady Hornets

Last season, the Southside Bee Branch Lady Hornets finished second in the district tournament in a 20-8 season. This year, Lady Hornets coach Greg Bradford is looking for a district win. Bradford will have coaching help from volunteer assistant Shannon Lawrence. “He does an excellent job communicating and working with the players,” Bradford said. “He is a great asset to have and brings another knowledgeable person to the game.” Junior Bethany Wilson is the Lady Hornets’ starting catcher. The best arm on the team, Wilson can double as a middle infielder if necessary, Bradford said. Leading the team’s pitching staff are sophomore Maggi Huddleston and junior Jaycee Brock. Huddleston is a harder thrower and gets more strikeouts, while Brock forces more ground outs. The coach said center fielder Hannah Hall, the Lady Hornets’ only senior, is his best fielder and saves many extra-base opportunities with her speed, the fastest on the team. Hall also bats leadoff, having only struck out twice last season. When Huddleston isn’t pitching, she’s Southside’s best power hitter. While she has home-run power, she also drives the ball consistently, the coach said. Huddleston is just one of several power hitters in what Bradford hopes is a “highpowered offense.” Beyond a district win, Bradford’s not certain what to expect from the Lady Hornets next, noting that he wants them to “make a run late into the season.”