Five TSSAA state tournament appearances in six seasons. Four consecutive District 3A championships. Three straight Region 2A titles. Five sectional wins. The Midway Lady Wave softball team has achieved great things in recent years. The 2010 team will start the season minus five seniors. So, are the Girls in Green planning to let up a little? Are expectations lower this year? Will the Lady Waves settle for anything less than excellence this season? If you think the answer to any of these questions is yes, think again.
This year’s senior class consists of two young ladies who have seen softball hardship. Haley Parks has battled adversity for the past year. Haley suffered a devastating knee injury at the end of the 2009 basketball season. After starting her first two seasons with the softball team, she had to sit on the sidelines and watch as last year’s squad battled back to the state tournament. Parks has represented Midway softball basically since the time she could walk. In her first two seasons in high school, she was one of the most reliable hitters in the lineup. At times, she showed home run power. One of the highlights of Haley’s career was when she hit the game-winning RBI to send Midway to state in her sophomore year. Before her injury, Haley alternated between being a lightning quick outfielder and a solid catcher. After playing on and off during this year’s basketball season, Haley is ready to return full-time to softball. The fact that Michele Walden suffered her season-ending injury toward the end of last year didn’t make it any easier for her. Just before the playoffs began, Michele’s pinky finger was badly broken during an at-bat against Knox Webb. Unable to catch or throw, she had to watch the postseason with Parks. That experience should only make these two seniors hungrier this year. Like Parks, Walden has started since her freshman season. Michele has a big bat and the long ball is always a possibility. She started last year at third base, and boasted a reliable glove and a cannon for an arm. Michele also served as a backup pitcher to Hannah Colyer. Now that Hannah has moved on, Michele has been working hard at her pitching in the off-season. She is projected to be one half of a two pitcher rotation this year.
Junior Paige Moree is another player who has had injury problems in the past. Paige’s knee problems have moved her away from her favorite position, catcher, where she started during her freshman year. Paige started in the outfield last season and was an important cog in the Green Machine, both on defense and at the plate. Wherever she plays, Paige will be solid again this season. Taylor Narramore has also started for the past two seasons. Taylor has been a consistent second baseman with one of the hottest bats on the team. Last year, she began to hit the ball much harder at the end of the year. Don’t be surprised to see Taylor go long distance this season. Brianne Reynolds is a hard worker who was able to break into the lineup on several occasions last year. Bri mostly played in the outfield. She is a player who can come up with a big hit at any given time. Bri also has a strong arm, and can make that throw from deep in the outfield. Ainsley Presswood has had a big year. Ainsley became a proud mother just a few months ago, and has since been working her way back into softball condition. Like the rest of the junior class, Ainsley was a youth league standout for years. Like Bri, she also got playing time in the outfield last year, and has had big hits in the past. Ainsley’s speed has always been her trademark.
The 2009 freshman class was talented and deep. Danielle Borum started for the entire season, and had one of the best bats in the lineup all year long. She mostly played in the outfield, where she made some incredibly athletic plays. When she moved to the infield, she did the same thing. This year, look for Dee to step up to the plate and take the ball deep. Hayley Patterson also got substantial playing time last season. She started much of the year in the outfield and made some big plays, including teaming up with Narramore for a double play at state. Inside information tells us that she is seriously being looked at for the catcher position this season. Hayley has been working with a hitting coach in the off-season and is looking to take it up a notch at the plate. Rumor has it that Taylr Hall has been seeing a lot of work at first base this winter. Taylr played at first for years, in the youth League and in middle school. She has worked hard on her hitting in the off-season after playing travel ball last summer, and is reportedly hitting the ball very well. Kayla Roberts is just rejoining the team after basketball season. Last year, Kayla showed good speed and some savvy base running, as she served as courtesy runner for Hannah Colyer all season. There’s no doubt that Kayla wants to break in as a position player this year. She is another former youth league standout who came up big at the plate on many occasions. Hali Morris was a huge contributor to the 2009 Lady Wave team. Hali replaced the injured Walden at third base late in the season. She made two great plays during the exciting 1-0 win over Coalfield, and also crossed the plate for the winning run in extra innings in that game. Hali made her first state tournament appearance last year, starting both games at third base in Murfreesboro. Hali, who just returned from basketball, will be looked at for a number of positions for the 2010 season. Kayla Hamilton joins the team after taking her freshman year off. She has been around Midway softball for many years. Kayla can pitch, hit, catch and has a great arm. Her most valuable tool is probably her amazing speed. Look for Kayla speeding around the bases for the Lady Waves this year. Just don’t blink. You might miss her!
Six players make up the 2010 freshman class. All six are talented athletes and will be pushing for playing time. Alex Richardson brings her powerful bat and golden glove to the high school level this year. Alex will share the pitching load with Walden and play basically any other position that the Midway coaches need her in. Alex is extremely talented and should be a big spark for the Midway offense. Shade Narramore has a great eye for the ball and has spent a lot of time at second base and shortstop in youth league and middle school. If needed, Shade can also pitch. Shade has been a go-to hitter for the youth league over the last several years. Halie Wiley is a pure slap hitter. Midway has not had a trained slap hitter with the speed of Wiley. After honing her skills in travel ball, she is ready to bring them to the Lady Waves’ offense. A few years ago, Midway baseball was blessed to have two Stansbury catchers in Steven and Sam. This year, it will be the Lady Waves who get their chance to have a Stansbury. Christina “Winky” Stansbury will join the team and bring her catching abilities along with her. Winky has played several years of travel ball and youth league. Hayley Romines is the new girl. New to softball that is. This will be Hayley’s first year ever playing softball, but she has shown an impressive ability to learn. Hayley has great speed and will be an important part of the Lady Wave team in the years to come. Last but not least is Alisa Barger. Alisa has joined the team after an impressive freshman basketball season. Alisa has played many years of youth league softball in Oliver Springs and on travel ball teams. We have not seen Alisa play much softball. However, if her basketball skills carry over, she will be a very valuable asset to this year’s team.
That’s the 2010 Lady Wave softball team. Some might say that after the departure of the talented 2009 senior class, the Lady Waves will be rebuilding. Not true! This team has the talent to continue where last year’s team left off. The Green team has two talented pitchers. Fielding will also be very important this season. The Lady Wave fielders have the gloves to step up to the challenge. One through nine, the batting order seems to be stronger than last year’s, with power hitting to spare. It’s too early to say who will be in what position in the field. This team is so talented that position players are still being evaluated. The Lady Waves will start the season with a play day on March 13 at the Rockwood softball fields. Look to see many players in several positions as Coaches Viar and Hutchinson figure out the best lineup to go with. Can the 2010 Lady Waves make another run to the state tournament? If you want to bet against them, give us a call.