Conway softball team will be young but should progress
Conway softball coach Chata Hickey had to replace five starters from a state-tournament qualifier team in 2023. The Wampus Cats finished 16-10 overall, including 7-5 in the 6A-Central, dropping an 8-7 decision to Rogers Heritage in the opening round of the Class 6A State Tournament.
Only three starters return for Conway, including senior second-baseman Ella White, senior outfielder Breelyn Conley and sophomore pitcher/shortstop Sylvia King.
“We are a young team varsityexperiencewise, but we are a physically strong team,” said Hickey, 155-97 heading into her 11th season as head coach and 16th with the Wampus Cat program. “We hit the weight room really hard in the offseason, and it showed really well [in a couple of early-season games]. We look to each other for strength.”
The sophomore class is expected to be one of the team’s bright spots, with four starters — King in the circle, Jenna Carrington behind the plate, Shelby Brock at first and Talia Augustine at third.
Regardless of the returning experience, though, Hickey’s expectations don’t change.
“We expect to finish well in the state tournament,” she said.
King will be the Wampus Cat ace in the circle.
“She has several pitches that she can manipulate for strikes at any point in the count,” Hickey said. “She has movement in all four planes.”
Catcher Carrington should be among the best hitters for average.
“She led the team last year in at-bats, walks and strikeout ratio,” the coach said.
King and Brock should provide the best power at the plate.
“They are strong hitters and can hit to all sides of the field with power,” Hickey said.
She said to look to White at second base to lead the defense.
“She stays calm and does a great job of directing the defense,” the coach said.
Junior outfielder Megan Wilson and senior outfielder Aubree Webb are expected to provide the best speed.
“These girls are smart on the bases and are able to use their speed to make things happen,” Hickey said.
She named Augustine and senior shortstop Amrey Standridge as having the Wampus Cats’ best arms.
“They lock down the left side of the infield and are able to make tough plays look easy,” Hickey said. “Talia [Augustine] is highly accurate on the move at third, and Amrey has a cannon of an arm at short.”
Standridge moved to short from center field in late January after another player moved with her family, the coach said, and that necessitated several other moves.
“Typically, Amrey has been in the outfield, so we’ve had to shift everybody in the outfield and move Amrey in to short,” Hickey said.
Webb took over in center, with Conley in right. Wilson is in left.
“This year, Megan [Wilson] decided to switch sides at the plate, to be a slapper,” Hickey said. “She’s had some pretty good success. There’s some promise right there.”
Webb has signed to play for Southeast Arkansas College in Pine Bluff next year.
The loaded 6A-Central also includes Little Rock Central, Cabot, Bryant, Little Rock Southwest, Jonesboro and North Little Rock. Bryant beat Cabot in the statechampionship game last spring. Conway, North Little Rock and Central fell in the opening round.
Hickey said games to watch this spring include Bryant on the road April 9 and at home May 3, and Cabot on the road March 26 and at home April 19.
“We are young and learning more about the game, our teammates and ourselves each time we hit the field,” Hickey said. “This group will only get stronger as the year progresses. We’re having some learning curves, but you always want to peak in the first two weeks of May.”