Madison Walters
The Union County girls softball team will start the season very quickly as the Patriots have four games during their opening week.
“Our expectations do not change from year to year,” Union County Head Coach Scott Gray said. “We expect to be very competitive every year.”
The Patriots finished 19-12 last spring with a 5-2 mark in the Tri-Eastern Conference.
“We expect to be one of the frontrunners in the TEC and look to be very competitive come tournament time,” Gray said.
Union County opens the season at home against New Castle on Tuesday, March 29.
Danielle Franklin
The Patriots entertain Ross on Wednesday and end the week with a home doubleheader with Cowan on Saturday.
“Our program has been blessed to produce 13 straight winning seasons with 15 plus wins in each of those seasons,” Gray said. “We will certainly strive to continue those efforts.”
Madison Walters and Danielle Franklin, All-TEC last season, along with honorable mention choice Tanner Henry are expected to lead the Patriots.
“We have had some great seasons due to great players and that shouldn’t change this year,” Gray said. “We will return three seniors with tons of varsity experience.”
Walters batted .495 last season and led the team with six home runs and 52 RBI.
Tanner Henry
Franklin was 13-8 on the mound a year ago and she is 16-9 in her career.
“The expectations are very high for her this season,” Gray said. “Dani finished strong last year and has had a very good off season.”
Henry, who is expected to leadoff for the Patriots, batted .330 a year ago. Becca Stafford is the fourth senior on this year’s team.
Junior All-TEC performer Emma Adams also returns after leading the team with a .514 batting average in 2015, while hitting five homers and knocking in 47 runs.
Pitcher Rachel Sparks (6-4 in 2015) and Caitlyn Charles are the other juniors on the squad and they are joined by sophomores Madi Rosenberger, who was All-TEC in 2015, and Cheyenne Townsend.
The freshmen are Tara Williams, Kristin Klein, Fayth Hill and Lily Hampton.
Union County begins conference play at Hagerstown on Thursday, April 7.
“The TEC is as good as ever,” Gray said. “Centerville and Northeastern are both strong and should come in as the conference favorites. Both teams return great pitching and very strong hitters.”