MORRISTOWN, TN – When Walters State takes the softball diamond Monday afternoon against Spartanburg Methodist, it will do so with a lot of familiar faces on the field. 

The Lady Senators have benefitted from the free year that the NJCAA is giving to sophomores for last years cancelled season as five sophomores on the 2020 team are returning for their third season.  

Taking advantage of this, the Lady Senators should bring a lot of leadership to the diamond after going 13-7 last season and were on a five-game winning streak before the season was shut down due to COVID-19.  

"Having those girls is going to be huge," Walters State softball coach Larry Sauceman said. "They've practiced and played for two years now, so they definitely have an advantage for sure. It's the first time in junior college we've ever had any juniors."  

The Lady Senators season will start a week earlier than expected as their opening series with Spartanburg Methodist was pushed up to Monday, Feb. 8. Walters State will play two games there before traveling to take on Snead State for two games.  

Conference play begins after those two series as the Lady Senators travel to Chattanooga State. Their home opener is Feb. 24, taking on Cleveland State, before finishing off the month with a road series against Roane State.  

In March, the Lady Senators will play 18 games, including two non-conference series against Volunteer State and Spartanburg Methodist. The season concludes in April with 16 games. The regular season finale is April 24 at Motlow State.  

With travelling restrictions, Walters State will play all of their conference games against east opponents this year, causing them to see some similar faces time and time again.  

"We've got a few out of conference teams we are going to play, but it is mostly the conference teams we are playing this year," Sauceman said. "We are going to see some of the same teams a lot. We are kind of going into the year blindfolded. We don't know what they've got, and they don't know what we've got. It's just going to be showing up to play and hanging on tight."  

As far as talent, the Lady Senators bring back a ton of production from last season. Olivia Wheeler, Kallyn Newport, Sydney Dukes, Jenica Brown and Lauren Brickey all return for their third season after producing during their half-season last year.  

Last season, Wheeler hit .316 with a home run and two RBIs in 10 games while Newport hit .463 with two home runs and knocked in 22 runs. No slouches themselves, Dukes hit .431 with three home runs and knocked in 18 runs, and Brown hit .359 with one home run and had six RBIs. 

Brickey missed last season after having surgery on her arm but hit .301 with seven home runs and 33 RBIs her freshman season. She also pitched, going 11-5 in 31 appearances and boasted a 2.77 ERA.  

"Kallyn Newport will do well and be a leader for us," Sauceman said. "Sydney Dukes can hit the ball as can Jenica Brown. Lauren Brickey did well this fall coming off of her surgery. Olivia Wheeler will see a lot of action at third base. She had a good fall. All of those girls have been here and seen it and done it. They know what to expect."  

As far as other returnees, Morgan Riffle returns in the circle after going 6-3 last year in 13 appearances, 10 of those being starts. Hayley Parrott also returns after hitting .375 last season with four home runs and 13 RBIs.  

For the new freshmen who are coming in, it has been a different time as everything has looked different due to COVID protocols. However, Sauceman said that having those five juniors has helped a lot. 

"They've done ok," Sauceman said. "Having those juniors here, they have all just followed the leader there. They have come in and have tried to do what the juniors do and how they do it. And they did ok this fall. All of them played decent. And the true sophomores are good players too. I think it will be a good year."  

As far as goals for this year, Sauceman has a pretty simple goal for his team.  

"I tell them every year that our goal is to try and get to the national tournament," Sauceman said. "There's some good teams in the league, but that is our goal. Hopefully we can find a way to make that happen. If you get enough people believing, you can do a lot of things."

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics