JUSTIN HALL

Head coach Sarah Minchew has high hopes for the Gilbert High School softball team into the 2019 season.

She recently spoke about her team prior to this past Friday’s 11-1 win over Swansea which improved them to 5-0 in Region 5-3A.

“When reflecting on this year’s team, I have been most impressed by their commitment to getting better and to each other in general,” Minchew said. “The players are constantly pushing each other to work harder and expect more. They are all very coachable, unselfish, and competitive—a great combination of characteristics.

“We have strong pitching and defense. Perhaps most importantly, though, is our commitment to getting better in the offseason.

“We have three seniors who all play important roles in our program,” Minchew said. “Savana Rosson, our team captain and Francis Marion signee. Rachel Bass, our second baseman and Hanah Craps, our left fielder. In addition, we have junior Madison Pride who is our shortstop and leadoff batter.”

However, the Lady Indians are a young team overall.

“We have five middle schoolers on varsity, three of which are starters,” she said. “Our catcher, Taylor Dreher, is an 8th grader who is catching a senior college signee and to say she (Taylor) has been phenomenal this season would be an understatement.

“It has been pretty incredible watching the relationship build between these two players. Savana has been a leader/captain who is tough, with high expectations of her teammates (and catcher), yet shows grace and understanding as we grow as a team.”

Her expectations for the season are high as always but she believes “at the root of all of our goals are two philosophies: to be competitive and enjoy the game.”

With three seniors and five middle schoolers, the age gap is sizeable and many looking in might wonder where the leadership is coming from. But Minchew believes some things stay constant with changes in the game.

“Leadership is definitely two fold,” she said “I think the game in general has changed and technological factors that impact kids have brought change (social media, etc), but I think the fundamental ingredients to leadership and success have not.”

“Leaders and teams must be committed to common goals and self improvement; during the off season programs, with work ethic in class, effort at practice, etc. I think these necessary factors transcend time and kids. Leadership is leadership. Kids are kids.”

The “Lyon” Queen

Becoming the career leader in victories at White Knoll High School occurred in dramatic fashion for softball pitcher Andrea Lyon this past Friday.

The defending Class 5A champions trailed archrival 7-3 and were an out away from not just suffering their first loss of the season. The defeat would have ended the Lady Timberwolves’ 16-game overall win streak dating back to last year’s state title run and the 28-game region win streak dating back to March 9, 2017.

Instead, Lyon and White Knoll mounted a 5-run rally in the Top 7th to take the lead. It started with Lyon’s 2-strike, RBI single to cut the deficit to 7-4.

Down to a final strike and Hannah Goodwin on 3rd base, Shelby Davies hit a pop fly that was misplayed at 1st base and brought home another run.

This set the stage for catcher Lexi Winters to put the Lady Timberwolves ahead. Facing a 1-1 count, she connected on Light’s pitch and sent it over the leftfield wall for a 3-run shot.

“I was thinking doing damage,” she said. “It allows me to get clear in my head. It allows me to put all of my power into the ball and just take everything I have.”

Lexington looked to tie the game in the bottom 7th with a runner on 1st. However, Lyon snagged Sarah Gordon’s liner hit directly towards her for the final out to clinch the record-setting 82nd career win.

White Knoll defeated Gray Collegiate 14-3 Monday for its 17th straight win and looked to clinch the region title Tuesday versus Chapin.