HILLDALE LADY HORNETS
Coach: DARREN RIDDLE
24-10
After a great run in 2022 that led the Lady Hornets to the Class 4A state fast pitch semifinals where they lost to eventual state champion Lone Grove, Hilldale will be looking to replace several starters from that team as they head into 2023.

“We will be young with just one senior and a couple of juniors that were starters returning,” said head coach Darren Riddle. “The rest of the starters will be made up of sophomores and maybe some freshmen.

There are five returning starters that coach Darren Riddle will rely on to provide leadership headed by two-year starter junior catcher Rylin Clark.

“Rylin is improving a lot in holding runners on base. She led the team in home runs last year and is having a great summer swinging the bat,” said Riddle
The only senior will be Bailey McClain who will return to the outfield where she had four assists last year with a strong arm. She’s a three-year starter and as the lone senior will be called upon to provide leadership for this young team.

“Bailey is a solid contact hitter as well as a good situational hitter. She’ll be a solid leader for us as this group plays well with and for one another. The challenge will be integrating a lot of new faces in the lineup this year while maintaining a good team dynamic,” said Riddle.

Junior Kensley Allen who has been a stalwart at third base will also be called upon to take on a lot of the pitching duties this fall for the Lady Hornets.

“Kensley and sophomore Finlee Allred will be taking over the pitching duties this year with the graduation of Brooklyn Ellis. Kensley will also play third base where she led the team in fielding percentage last year and she’s also having a great summer,” added Riddle.

Also returning for Hilldale will be Lilly Beverage who is an all-around contributor with great speed, solid defense, and a good contact hitter at the dish.

“Lilly brings a lot of speed to the team and is solid defensively. She doesn’t strike out much and, while she’s been a right-handed hitter, she’s also been working on hitting from the left side which may enable me to move her to the leadoff spot to take advantage of her speed,” said Riddle.

Otherwise, Riddle will look to his underclassmen to fill in some of the remaining spots in the lineup.

Juniors Emma Noe and Sydney Sapulpa will look to find a spot in the outfield. Sophomores that will vie for playing time include Finlee, Darian Diles, Macie Mackey, Addyison Sands, Sarah Chapa, Maddie Ellis, Hannah Mocha, Kendi Purdom, Madison Dillon and Kabree Spradley. There are also a handful of freshmen that also might figure into the mix this year including Charlee Medley, Breena Manizak, Reese Ellis and Jaylee Simpson.