Morehead, Ky. – New Morehead State softball coach Megan Griffith will get the first chance to see her team in action on Sunday as the Eagles host Kentucky Christian for a full scrimmage at 1:30 p.m. on the University Field.
After a few weeks of practice, Griffith is pleased with the squad's progress.
"The girls have been awesome. I've seen great development on offense," she said. "The pitchers and catchers have been working hard … and we've seen great development with them. We are looking forward to getting on the field tomorrow."
The Eagles are returning 11 players off last year's team which finished with 8-36 overall and 7-20 Ohio Valley Conference marks.
As the new coach, Griffith praised the players for adapting to her and her coaching style so quickly.
"I think (the adjustment) has been wonderful. I couldn't ask for a better group of players," she said. "They've bought in and have been working hard, and it's just been absolutely wonderful."
This season's Eagles will feature four seniors (all stats from 2022): outfielders Madeline Gailor (.275 batting average, 18 runs batted in, 12 stolen bases) and Trinity Spear (45 games, 7 RBI, 8 SB), shortstop Kirya Kingery (.264 BA, 10 runs), and utility player Taylor Rhea (.210 BA, 7 RBI). Infielder Peyton Jordan (.219 BA, 9 RBI, 6 R), outfielder Erin Boyle (31 G, 7 R), pitcher Lennon Spicer (5-19 record, 4.42 earned run average, 94 strikeouts, 50 walks) and utility player Mayumi Kinchen-Atkins (19 G) comprise the junior class. Utility player Ilencia Lightbody (.241 BA, 12 R, 5 RBI, 6 SB), along with pitchers Madi Ogden (2-11, 4.94 ERA, 54 K, 51 BB) and Maya Morris (0-2, 10 appearances) are the second-year team members.
Five newcomers join the roster this season. Freshman catchers/infielders Emily Williams (Louisville, Ky./Butler HS) and Nazari "Zee" Jackson (Forsyth, Ga./Mary Persons HS), freshman outfielder Taikibrea "Red" Campbell (Hartwell, Ga./Hart County HS), freshman pitcher Jessie Begley (Somerset, Ky./Pulaski County HS) and junior catcher Kaytlyn Cripps (Price, Utah/Colorado Mesa Univ.) will all be counted upon to contribute.
Williams hit .547 with 39 RBI, 12 homers and nine doubles in 2022. Jackson was a four-year starter for the MPHS Bulldogs, while Campbell was a first-team all-region performer for the HCHS Bulldogs in her final season. Begley went 19-8 with a 2.94 ERA and collected 116 strikeouts to 49 walks last spring. She also batted .455, scored a team-best 48 runs and added 34 RBI. Cripps played in 12 games and had a perfect fielding percentage in her lone campaign with the NCAA Division II Mavericks. However, she will not dress for Sunday's game.
The Eagles have had three weeks of 20-hour practices and Griffith has already noticed improvement in some critical areas.
"Our defense, both infield and outfield, have taken incredible strides and have been solid throughout the fall. We are going to continue to develop our hitters and try to be more of a force at the plate," Griffith said. "Our pitchers and catchers have been doing wonderful. … They are on a great program, adding miles per hour to their speed and increasing their spin rate. Our catchers are the strongest group of arms I've ever got to work with. They are going to throw out a lot of runners trying to steal. We've definitely got four solid arms behind the plate."
An NAIA school from nearby Grayson, Ky., Kentucky Christian posted an 18-21 mark last year. The two teams have never met in the regular season.
"I want to use (the scrimmage) as a measuring stick for the program to see the progress we've made and the areas we still need to pay attention to," Griffith said. "We are using it as a sharpening tool. I'm excited to see how the hitters continue to develop at the plate and for the pitchers to show off what they can do against outside competition."
The Eagles will participate in one additional scrimmage before the conclusion of the fall season. They will travel to Bowling Green, Ky., for a game against Western Kentucky next Sunday.
