LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Coming off its third straight appearance in the NCCAA Softball National Tournament, the Covenant softball team gets its season going on Friday with a doubleheader against former NAIA conference rival Bluefield starting at 5 p.m. at Warner Park in Chattanooga.
The start of the new season brings plenty of optimism in the program, but the Lady Scots will have to combat the losses of some significant contributors from a season ago. Gone are outfielders Beth Harris and Christine Core and pitching ace Chelsea Krafft.
Even with those losses, Covenant returns a solid team. Senior first baseman Courtney Wagoner is the team's leading returning hitter after batting .387 a season ago with four home runs and 31 RBIs while posting a .521 on-base percentage. Wagoner was a second team NCCAA All-American selection a season ago as well as an All-GSAC performer.
Fellow seniors Jenni Jobe and Morgan Booker also return. Jobe hit .304 with seven doubles and 15 walks last season and Booker batted a solid .267 with 17 RBIs.
Juniors Lauren Johns and Meagan Hess also look to improve upon their sophomore seasons. Johns batted .314 with eight doubles and 25 runs batted in, good for third on the team. Hess played in all 43 games and had an on-base percentage of .341 while playing shortstop in all but two contests. Another junior, Chandler Shepherd returns after starting 41 games last season. Sophomore catcher Morgan Strennen also returns this season.
In the pitching circle, Covenant will turn to sophomore Cori Hilt as its ace, although head coach Sara Russell noted that the staff will have to come together as a whole. Hilt went 4-6 a year ago in 14 appearances throwing 52.1 innings.
Newcomers will be counted on for innings. Ellie Groenendyk (Williamsport, Md.) and Hannah Rogers (Sutton, Neb.) both look to see some innings as well as junior Grace Hooper.
Freshmen Morgan Lane (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Madison Quirk (Athens, Tenn.) are poised to make an impact in the batting lineup in their first collegiate season for the Lady Scots. Kendall Whann (St. Augustine, Fla.) is another freshman for Covenant this season.
Entering her 5th season as the head coach, Russell has guided the Lady Scots to those three appearances in the NCCAA National Tournament to go along with 20 or more victories in each of the last two seasons.
The 2013 schedule is filled with familiar opponents and a lot of home games. Covenant plays 26 home games (counting games that are played at Warner Park and Frost Stadium) and 10 on the road. The Lady Scots play Division III foes such as Maryville, Berry, Piedmont, Emory, and Birmingham Southern. Covenant plays 16 GSAC games. The Lady Scots also face NCAA Division II member Trevecca Nazarene and tough NAIA opponents in Point and Cumberland.
All home varsity games will once again feature live stats through this link Be sure to also follow along with the Lady Scots on Twitter (@CovenantScots) and Facebook (facebook.com/CovenantScots) for updates throughout the season.
