As of press time, high school springs sports events and practices had been postponed until April 10. That announcement came as the finishing touches were being put on the Spring Sports preview. We have decided publish these previews in order to highlight Hardy County’s high school athletes, should no opportunity exist later.
Moorefield Softball starts this season with renewed enthusiasm and power of positivity under a new coach unifying the team to make successful strides to leap beyond the region to the state tournament by focusing on daily improvements with joyful attitudes.
The Yellow Jackets were the Class A Region II runner-up last year with a record of 21-11 and the Class A state tournament runner-up the previous year with some of the current players taking that experience to help the underclassmen grow stronger together after this hiatus clearing out half of the season.
Moorefield Softball first-year head coach Bridget Sions returns to her alma mater fulfilling a dream as her love of the sport helped her succeed on the field and in the classroom becoming one of the elite student-athletes in Davis & Elkins College history and coming full circle back to her roots as the coach to mold these young students into powerful women moving forward in life.
Coach Sions is the career home run leader for the Senators and was one of the top pitchers during her time there.
After returning home, Coach Sions helped former Davis & Elkins teammate Ashley Taylor as an assistant softball coach at East Hardy High for one season and was an assistant volleyball coach for the Yellow Jackets for two years in addition to individual softball lessons taught and teaching in school gaining further experience to nurture the steady growth of the Moorefield Softball program now.
Coach Sions takes the reins over from Tammie Ayers, who retired after seven seasons with a career record of 165-66.
“I don’t think I could ever truly express how excited I am as I enter my first season as head coach at my alma mater. During my time at MHS, I always knew that I would someday want to be the head coach. I fell in love with this sport at the age of twelve, and to be standing here sharing my knowledge, my love, and positive personality… is amazing. I’m ecstatic!! I’m excited to see what this first year has in store,” Moorefield Softball coach Bridget Sions remarked.
The Yellow Jackets held its only scrimmage before the COVID-19 outbreak ended the season and defeated Bishop Walsh 20-4.
Moorefield sophomore Emily Kuykendall crushed a grand slam, senior Hanna Carlson pitched two innings with six strikeouts on 30 pitches and belted a three-run home run, junior Remi Hinkle smacked a two-run home run and senior Lindsey Rinker had the most hits with four along with three RBIs.
During the scrimmage, Coach Sions was constantly praising and guiding her players with a huge smile exuding excitement to be on the field coaching and assistant coaches Jeremy Simmons and Ryan Arnold were instrumental in supporting roles instructing the players too.
The energy and enthusiasm was unparalleled as the joy of playing at Sager Field was clearly enthralled in the minds of the coaches, players and fans alike including the Yellow Jackets Baseball team members showing support in the outfield.
“Our goal for this season is to just take it one day at a time. We’re going to focus on each present day and work hard to improve mentally and mechanically. As a coaching staff, we are working hard on helping each [private]player gain a more positive mindset and self-confidence,” Coach Sions commented.
Moorefield Softball lost three starting players to graduation: Rebekah Markwood (P/SS), Alyssa Vetter (1B/P) and Macie Zirk (3B).
Markwood was named to the Class A All-State First Team and voted Potomac Valley Conference Player of the Year, then signed to play softball at Concord University finishing the senior campaign with a 1.589 ERA with 47 strikeouts and a .500 batting average.
This season the Yellow Jackets are prepared to pitch and hit with a positive vibe to make it a successful first year for Coach Sions.
Moorefield Softball will compete with three mottos in mind: “Positive Mindset. If you think you can, you will. Perseverance – It’s hard to beat a team that never gives up.”
The Yellow Jackets has six of seven players returning to the roster this year who were named to the All-Potomac Valley Conference Team: Hanna Carlson, Lindsey Rinker, Remi Hinkle, Tori Humphries, Alyson Simmons and Gracie O’Neill.
Moorefield senior pitcher/first baseman Hanna Carlson has signed to play softball at Potomac State College of WVU with the possibility of playing at Shepherd University in the future and has been one of the best pitchers in the area.
Moorefield senior Lindsey Rinker will be playing in the outfield and can hit the ball at the plate on a regular basis proven by her four hit performance in the scrimmage.
Moorefield senior second baseman Madison McGregor provides good fielding skills and has been consistent on reaching the bases.
Moorefield senior shortstop Anna Riggleman is coming off an injury from last season and doesn’t show much rust at all diving into the dirt during the scrimmage and stretching to make tags plus connected at the plate.
Moorefield senior third baseman Kennedy Hinger has been showing a great attitude smiling and joking along with her teammates and has been fielding the ball well and being supportive in the dugout.
In fact, all of the players have been extremely positive and encouraging from day one of practice through the scrimmage before the coronavirus halted the season.
One way the team is bonding is having meals together before games whether it be a baked potato with chili or tacos (on a Thursday).
Contenting with what was seen in the scrimmage, sophomore Emily Kuykendall played third base and was the relief pitcher in addition to delivering the grand slam.
Moorefield junior Gracie O’Neill played first base and left field during the scrimmage, so her versatility will be useful during the year and good swings at the plate.
Moorefield junior catcher Alyson Simmons made a couple hits and kept the ball in front as the catcher communicating well with the pitchers.
Moorefield junior center fielder Remi Hinkle has a powerful bat and strong arm to keep the runners at bay from the outfield.
Moorefield junior Tori Humphries will be a pitcher primarily, but did see some time at the plate hitting during the scrimmage.
Moorefield juniors Hailey Biser and Keely Wiekle will play infield and outfield, while Wiekle should see time pitching as well.
Moorefield freshman Kaleigh Hunt saw varsity time in right field during the scrimmage.
The remaining roster will primarily be playing on the junior varsity squad: junior Alaissa Martinez-Torro, sophomores Lydia Keplinger, Melody Yokum and Sara Carlson; freshmen Malina Price, Hunt, Sterling Kump, Marissa Ward, Aryana Wachter, Hannah Mauzy, Deleny Crites, Allissa Biser, and Brieanna Green.
The Yellow Jackets have the depth to create a positive season once it begins.
If the seasons starts after April 10, Moorefield will visit Pendleton County on April 14 and travel to Petesfburg on April 15.
The Yellow Jackets host the Bub Riggleman Tournament on April 17-18, then greet East Hardy on April 21.
There are three Maryland schools on the schedule:Fort Hill, Allegany and Mountain Ridge with the latter not being played due to the cancellations.
Moorefield will finish the regular season at home against Petersburg on May 1 if the schedule remains the same.
The Yellow Jackets are hopeful to be able to play again with a ton of excitement in store for the potential season.
Moorefield Softball coach Bridget Sions took time to answer questions for the season preview:
What positions did you play in high school and college?
In high school I pitched and played first base. In college I played first base, pitcher, DH, and right field.
What experiences can you share from your college days to benefit your players?
My college experience was amazing. I truly enjoyed each and every single second of it. College helped me realize that each player truly does have a role. Whether you’re cheering on your teammates on the bench, running the bases for the pitcher, being the DH, or playing the field… each position is a piece of the puzzle, and to be successful you need to have the pieces fit together perfectly. It is important to keep a positive mindset and fulfill whatever position you’ve been assigned in the best way possible. The next thing would be discipline. It’s important for coaches to be true to what they say. Follow through with your expectations and team rules. It’s important to earn the respect of your players, but most importantly, show them that you care and believe in them.
What is your coaching philosophy?
My coaching philosophy- I am a firm believer that being a part of an athletic team helps shape young children into mature, disciplined, responsible and respectful adults. It further develops their natural persistence, dedication, work ethic, heart, leadership skills, and respect for others not only in competition, but in life. My goal as a coach is strive to be the best example I can be by demonstrating excellence and professionalism. I will share my knowledge and passion to help young athletes grow and mature by playing a sport they love.
How do you replace the talent from last season?
If you look at our lineup, we have an abundance of talent. Our players work very well together and they are learning how to be more vocal on the field. Them being positive, picking each other up, and playing together as a team can replace any type of talent out there.
Who are the elite players to watch?
All of them! I truly cannot say that I have one Elite player. In my opinion, they all are!
Who are your promising newcomers?
We have an athletic group of freshmen. I’m very excited to see what their future has in store. How will each player contribute to the team?
Hanna Carlson- Hanna will be one of our main pitchers this season. She has some speed and she’s a left handed pitcher. Those two things alone make it a little tougher on the batter. She has a strong bat and great eye at the plate.
Gracie O’Neill- Gracie will be playing first base, outfield, second, short… little bit of everywhere. She’s an awesome utility player.
Madison McGregor- Madison will mostly be playing second and third. She covers a lot of ground and has quick feet. The awesome thing is, I could truly put her anywhere out on the field and she would be successful.
Tori Humphries- Tori has a lot of power, she’s a fast runner, and can cover a lot of ground on defense. She will also be pitching for us this year.
Anna Riggleman- Anna has a strong glove and is an awesome vocal leader on defense. She also has a solid bat. She hustles and isn’t afraid to get extra dirty!
Alyson Simmons- Alyson is a solid catcher. She does a great job at calling pitches and leading the team from her position. She is very reliable at the plate and has great pitch selection.
Lindsey Rinker- Lindsey will be starting in the outfield for us this year. She has quick feet and reads the ball very well. She is an awesome leader and has a great attitude.
Remi Hinkle- Remi is starting in the outfield this year. She has an awesome arm, solid/strong bat, and I’m confident she’ll score a lot of runs for us this year.
Emily Kuykendall- Emily may be tiny, but she’s fierce. She will be pitching and playing some third base this year.
Hailey Biser- Hailey will be playing some outfield and first base. She brings hard work and an awesome attitude with her every day to practice. I know she has a bright season ahead of her.
Malina Price- Malina will our backup/bull pen catcher for varsity this year. If I need to throw her in a game, she’ll do great. She has such an awesome attitude!
Kaleigh Hunt- Kaleigh is going to be a baserunner for our pitchers and possibly play some outfield for varsity this year.
Keely Wiekle- Keely will play second base, pitch, and possibly see some outfield this season. She’s made huge improvements since our first practice.
The awesome thing about our varsity team is that I can throw multiple players in any position and we still have a great chance at being successful.
How is the team chemistry and leadership?
Our team chemistry is AWESOME! If you come to a practice, you will see and hear nothing but hard work, hustle, positive energy, tons of compliments, and a lot of smiles.
Are there certain rituals the team uses to build the bond together?
We complement each other and build positive mindsets. I’ll have them all sit down as a group (randomly) and they have to look at the person to their left or right and give them a compliment. After each game, they will have to tell something they did well, then compliment a teammate on something she did well, too! It’s nice to know that your teammates notice things you’re doing well.
What impresses you the most about your team?
Their hard work. Their effort. How coachable they are. The positive energy they bring every single day.
How do you motivate your players in practice?
We change up our routine, I incorporate fun things, and most of all, I bring one of the most positive attitudes you’ll ever see. I keep them pumped by showing excitement and making sure they know that I believe in them.
How often do you need to work on fundamentals?
We work on fundamentals every single day.
How crucial is it to have aggressiveness and hustle on defense?
It is very crucial to have aggressiveness and hustle on defense. If one of my girls make an error, I want them to want the ball hit to them the very next play. They must hustle on and off the field. Hustle can make the difference between a run scored and an out.
How important is fielding beyond the infield?
Fielding beyond the infield is just as important as fielding in the infield. It is important for outfielders to know exactly where they are going with the ball each play. It’s also important for them to make good throws to hold runners as much as possible.
How many variations of pitches should be used?
It’s important for a pitcher to have more than one pitch. If they only have a fastball, then it’s going to be easy for the opposing team to sit on it and get base hits. I like for my pitchers to have a fast, change, drop, curve (if possible), and a rise. My main focus is a good fastball, change up, and drop ball. My goal is for my pitchers to be consistent with throwing strikes. I don’t care how fast they can pitch, because in reality, speed isn’t going to be effective if she can’t throw strikes and hit her spots. Speed will come.
How important is communication between the pitcher and catcher?
Communication between pitcher and catcher is very important. They need to be in sync with each other and communicate about what’s working and what is not. They need to feel as though they can lean on each other to get through every inning.
Does a catcher need to have a strong arm and be aware of what is happening on the bass at all times?
A catcher does need to have a strong arm in order to throw base runners out at second base. The catcher is also the only position that can see the entire field and what is going on. It’s extremely important for them to be the voice and direct teammates where they need to be.
Is stealing bases a crucial aspect of the game?
Stealing bases is a crucial aspect of the game. It makes the difference in how many runs are scored and also puts pressure on the defense.
Do you want your players to swing hard at every pitch or try to play small ball?
As the home run leader in college, I do not want my girls to swing for the fences every time. If they swing for the fences, they are most likely going to pop up, strike out, or ground out. It is best to just go up to the plate with a positive mindset and give your best effort. Home runs will definitely come.
How do you feel about the strength of your schedule?
I am excited about the strength of our schedule. We have 20 teams coming to our Bub Riggleman Memorial Tournament this year and there are a lot of tough teams to go up against. I want my girls to play the best of the best, because that’s what is going to make us better.
Do you have any new teams this season?
The State Softball tournament has been moved to an all turf facility in Charleston. To help prepare my girls, we are playing Gilmer away this year. They actually play on a turf field.
What needs to be done to get to the state tournament?
To get to the state tournament, we need to play as a team 110% of the time. We need to keep positive mindsets, work hard, hustle, pick each other up after an error or strikeout and back each other up on defense. We need to be confident and believe in ourselves.
How intense are rivalry games?
Rivalry games are always intense, but I am confident in my girls. I know they will give it their all and do their best at all times.
What is your team motto?
We have a few team mottos!
One: Positive Mindset
Two: If you think you can, you will.
Three: Perseverance~ It’s hard to beat a team that never gives up! [/private]
