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“We’re all excited to have lights,” said EDHS coach Greg Fowler. “With this being the first ever night game, hopefully we’ll have a good crowd. Central Davidson is about as tough an opponent to have in your first night game.”
East (2-1, 1-0) and Central will meet for the first time since last year’s spectacular extra inning regional final, won by the Lady Spartans. CDHS (8-0, 2-0) junior Chelsea Leonard returns as the premier pitcher in the Central Carolina Conference, meaning the road to the league title will travel through Southmont. The Lady Eagles stretched Leonard and the Lady Spartans to the edge a year ago, and look to take that extra step tonight.
“We have to get the ball in play,” Fowler said. “[Leonard] is as good as there is in the state and maybe the region. She doesn’t beat herself and the team is well-coached. We are going to have to give our best effort and leave everything out on the field. We just have to put some balls in play and see what happens.”
If East does have an advantage its that the Lady Eagles will be facing her for the fourth time in a little more than a season. In last year’s regional final, East’s Spencer Embler matched Leonard inning for shut-out inning, but the offense never could plate a run in a 1-0 defeat. The Lady Eagles had a runner on third a couple of times, but Leonard always came up with the big pitch that got her out of trouble.
“She is so good in so many respects,” said Fowler of Leonard. “She throws hard, she has movement and can locate her pitches. We saw her three times last year but this is a different year. Her mistakes are out of the strike zone. Some pitchers leave their misses up in the strike zone, not her.”
Senior shortstop and Pfiefffer signee Nicole Welborn returns at the top of the East lineup, giving the Lady Eagles speed in the leadoff slot. Brittney Smith takes over for Anna Dellapenta at second and will be counted on to reach base for Embler in the third hole. Senior Taylor Vance, who started putting up numbers at the end of last season, fills in for the departed Paige Coleman batting clean-up.
“We are looking for a lot out of three seniors,” Fowler said. “We need leadership from them on and off the field.”
Losing outfielder Brittany Inman does leave a hole, but the Lady Eagles have several choices, especially now that the basketball players are now with the team. Junior Anna Freeman will likely take one of the spots as will senior Lauren Wagner. Jessie Slaven and Genny Tejada have been seeing a lot of action early, providing plenty of depth in he outfield. Addie Chaney assumes the catching duties for the graduated Sierra Pope.
Embler gives East a proven ace on the mound. While not over-powering, Embler mixes up her pitches well, keeps the ball in the park and allows her defense to play behind her. Also look for Kristin White to provide valuable innings after returning from an ACL injury last year.
Tonight’s winner will give someone the early edge in the CCC race, but Wednesday’s showdown between Ledford and West Davidson (5-2, 2-0) in Wallburg carries equal significance. Both teams made the playoffs last season and will be tough outs for either East or Central. Ledford battled the Lady Spartans into extra innings a week ago before falling at home, 2-0.
“I think it says a lot about the strength of this conference,” said Fowler. “We had four teams make the playoffs and everyone is coming back better.”
Ledford (6-3, 2-1) is a veteran squad that brings back much of its key components from a season ago. Pitching should be a strength as the Lady Panthers have three reliable arms in seniors Shelby Bowser and Olivia Klutz and freshman Kristen Murphy. Murphy has been impressive in her debut, staring down Leonard last week before finally blinking in the eighth inning.
Emily Byrd is one of the fastest players in the CCC and knows how to get on base. Brittany Teer, Jessica Morgan, Nicole Hughes, Olivia Poplin, Emily Darr and Kristin Clinard give the Lady Panthers a solid lineup from top to bottom in a league where runs may come at a premium, particularly in games between the top four.
Staff Writer Eliot Duke can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 233, or at eliotduke@hotmail.com.