Greenfield Complex holds opening HS Softball Game
The Greenfield Complex will be the site of the season-opening high school softball game on Monday as James River takes on Lord Botetourt at 5:30 p.m. Botetourt is officially the home team, but both schools are quite familiar with the complex.
Haley Shotwell will be the top pitcher for James River. Photo by Brian Hoffman
The game might be the first of the season for James River, as the Knights were yet to scrimmage coming into this week. A scrimmage with Patrick County was cancelled last week and River is hoping to play at Franklin County on Thursday, but poor weather is in the forecast.
The Knights return all but two of last year’s players, including junior pitcher Haley Shotwell. She had some shoulder concerns in the off-season but with the opener less than a week away she’s throwing pain free and will be counted on as the No. 1 pitcher.
“She had some weak spots in her shoulder blade, but she’s been going to therapy and she’s fine,” said her coach, and grandfather, John Shotwell.
Hailey Cook was the second pitcher last year, but she’ll likely confine her duties to shortstop this season with two promising freshmen on the varsity. Jessica Simmons and Casey Hill are freshmen pitchers who should see some time.
Despite a deep and experienced roster, Shotwell has just two seniors on this year’s team, Brooke Ware and Chelsea Rodriguez. The Knights have six juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen.
“I don’t care what class they’re in, the best players will play,” said Shotwell.
River returns Hope Falls at catcher. The whole outfield returns, with Ware, Dede Seamann and Hannah Morrow.
The Knights should be in the hunt again, although Bath County will be a challenge with lefty sophomore Galen Ford on the mound.
“I had the girls write out their goals, and I’ll open the envelopes at the end of the season,” said Shotwell. “It will be interesting to see what they put.”
Botetourt returns seniors Makena Morris, Lindsey Cuba, Leah Peohner and Danielle Santos. The Cavs have a new coach in Cheryl Shockley, who also coached the volleyball team for LB. She’s a former collegiate pitcher.
“Morris is going to be solid on the hot corner for the team and she will also help with some relief innings in the circle,” said Shockley. “She is also one of our more vocal leaders on the field.
“Cuba gives us a great target over at first base and a strong stick in the line up. Poehner is going to run the field behind the plate and help keep our sophomore pitcher focused. Santos returns to the second base position and looks to be a solid lead off batter for us with her quickness.”
Sophomore Samantha Barton returns on the mound.
“Samantha took advantage of summer softball teams and committed herself to pitching year round to improve her velocity and movement on her pitches,” said Shockley.
Junior Emily Waldek is a solid centerfielder. Flanking her will be freshman Meaghan Catron in leftfield, who has a very strong arm for a freshman and swings the bat well. Juniors Ally Heldreth and Katey Hall bring good bats to the lineup and sophomore Savannah Price looks to complete the lineup taking over the shortstop position.
After Monday’s opener, the Cavaliers will host Salem on Tuesday. River will be at Glenvar on Friday, March 19.
