posted May 15, 2008
The St. Andrew's-Sewanee softball battery of Kelsey Pearson (pitcher) and Kate Wiley (catcher) first played pitch and catch as 10-year-olds in 2004 for the Sewanee girls' summer 10-and-under fast pitch team in the Franklin County recreation league.
This afternoon at the University of the South field, the stakes are higher - a spot in next week's TSSAA state tournament final four is on the line - as Pearson, Wiley (both ninth graders) and the rest of the SAS varsity team meet Southern Baptist Education Center (13-4) from Memphis in a doubleheader (2 p.m./4 p.m. CDT) in Division II-A sub-state action. An "if necessary" third game will be played Friday at 10 a.m.
Pearson and Wiley were members of the town of Sewanee's first ever girls' summer fast pitch team in 2003 and are now key components on the first SAS softball varsity team.
"I think our team is doing extremely well for our first season," said Wiley who leads the team in batting (.300 average), doubles and triples. "We finished second in the region, which is huge for a first year team, especially since more than half our players are playing competitive softball for the first time."
The Lady Mountain Lions, 5-12 overall, but 5-1 at home, earned the right to host today's sub-state series with a come-from-behind 9-8 triumph against Webb School (Bell Buckle) last week.
SAS finished second in the East/Middle Region behind winner Davidson Academy (27-9-1), while SBEC was third in the West Region behind winner St. George's and First Assembly Christian.
"To beat Webb with two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning was a great accomplishment for the girls," said head coach Dan Barry. "We have improved throughout the season and the players have worked hard and have earned the right to host in the sub-state."
While Wiley and the rest of the Lady Mountain Lion offense have been posting runs on the scoreboard, Pearson's fastball and change up has kept the opponents off balance.
She is averaging 10.6 strikeouts per game (111 Ks in 17 games), five games with 10 or more and has a season-best 14 strikeouts against Webb in April with one shutout.
"Early on in the season I struggled with a new pre-motion wind up, but after a change I began to pitch faster and more efficiently," said Pearson, who is the team MVP and earned All-Region honors. "I am already looking forward to next year."
Pearson's pitching coach, Robert Boyles of Tullahoma, has seen her improve during the past three-and-a half years.
"Kelsey’s mechanics are better this year than in the past and she has worked on the mental aspect of pitching," said Boyles who has worked with Pearson since the fall of 2004.
"She is pretty good with her change up and we will work on an assortment of other pitches in the upcoming months, including a drop ball and rise ball. She will need this variety to stay one step ahead of the batters."
More than a two-player team, senior Lani Skidmore has played a solid third base for SAS and also earned All-Region honors. The remainder of the infield behind Pearson is Mercedes Burleyson at first, Anna-Grace Owens at second with senior Marissa Morris at shortstop.
Other teammates who have contributed in the field and at the plate are leadoff batter Rachel Pope, Keeley Stewart (season-high 5 runs vs. Van Buren), Kathryn Wardell (season-best 4 RBIS vs. Webb), Ann McDonald, Allie Cahoon, Maddie Griswold, Greer Sims and Sophia Jordan
"Even though we have suffered several losses, I believe that has brought us together as a team and given us the confidence we needed to become stronger," said Pearson. "Most importantly we have had alot of fun this season, and have gotten to know each other better. Over the next three years, I know we will improve and excel."
Looking to 2009: Coach Barry will have to replace the left side of his infield next season as Skidmore (third base) and Morris (shortstop) graduate ... But he will have plenty of depth at pitcher with Barry’s daughter, Hannah (recovering from knee surgery), and Kelsey’s younger sister, Cameron (now a seventh grader at SAS), forming a solid pitching staff ... Barry is also a catcher and Wiley can play a couple of infield positions ... Cameron is a two-time USSSA all-state tournament pitcher in the 12-and-under division.
Contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net
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