Injuries make Eagle baseball plans more challenging

As the cold gray skies of winter eventually turn to the bright sunny skies of spring, several Shelbyville Central teams look forward to spring sports.

For Golden Eagle coach Brad Frasier, replacing four players who have moved on to the collegiate ranks along with dealing with a number of injuries are the major tasks at hand.

Gone are Jordon Cooper (Kentucky), Michael Watkins (Motlow), Chase Dial (Volunteer State) and Connor Tracy (Middle Tennessee).

Throw in injuries to senior pitchers Hunter Brothers and Shaq Thompson along with senior shortstop Tyler Vannatta and what looked to be a very promising season all of a sudden becomes a very challenging season.

Brothers is recovering from an elbow injury on this throwing arm while Thompson and Vannatta could be out for a while.

Brothers, a Lipscomb University signee, will be able to play first base and brings a huge stick to the plate.

"We lost a lot of talent from last year then when you lose two starting pitchers and your shortstop for a while it really hurts," Frasier said. "We're going to have to have some of the younger guys really step it up and we're going to have to outscore a lot of teams."

Frasier will look for J.T Nelson, Jonathan Horn and Seth Jarrell to carry the load on the mound with senior Darrell Hardison handling the pitchers behind the plate.

The Eagles won the District 8-AAA regular season last year and look for another fine season if they can overcome injuries and stay healthy.

Softball

Shortstop Shelby Lamb, a Middle Tennessee signee, looks to have a quality season her senior year.

The talented four-year starter and left-handed power hitter will be a key focus point to opposing teams as the Eaglettes feature a number of underclassmen in the starting lineup including sophomore right-hander Alyssa Moore.

Seniors Alicia Bates, along with Chelsey Dial and newcomer Janie Graves, will also help provide leadership on the field.

"We've really got a good group of seniors but we're going to have some young kids grow up quick if we're going to be successful," Eaglette coach Robin Ayers said.

Sophomores Lorrie Rittenberry, Lauren Warren and Haylie Spence chalked up a lot of playing time last year as freshmen and provide added experience to the lineup.

Powerhouse Coffee County is no longer in the district. Lincoln County looks to be the preseason favorite.

Soccer

The Golden Eagles feature 12 freshmen but a talented group of seniors will carry the team on both ends of the field.

"We do have a lot of young talent that we hope will improve as the season goes along but we've got a tremendous group of seniors that will provide leadership to those young guys," Shelbyville coach Neal Gordon said. "We're going to play in two tournaments which should provide a lot of opportunities for the younger guys."

Seniors Zach Thompson and Dylan Reed along with Matthew McBee are primed and ready to lead the Eagle defense while classmate Joey Jackson will be called upon to provide some offensive punch.

"Over the past couple of years our district has shown a lot of parity so I think it's wide open for every team," Gordon said.

Tennis

Shelbyville's tennis teams has quality leadership on both sides as Jordan Phelps and Mallory Hutton set the example both on and off the court.

Phelps should have an opportunity of continue his playing career in college and Hutton is one of the top players in the area.

"Jeffery Gaines and Michael McNally have really put in a lot of work in the off season and I'm really proud of their effort," Shelbyville coach Doyle Hutton said. "Junior Kishan Patel has also worked extremely hard and will be a powerhouse on the boys team."

Freshman Victoria Dugan will also have an impact for the Eaglettes.

The Eaglettes won the district championship last year while the Eagles were runner-up.

Track

Shelbyville has been represented in the TSSAA Spring Fling over the past few years and that trend's likely to continue.

Coach Ramon Lanier has a number of athletes expected to complete for state honors.

The girls 4x200 consisting of Callisha Johnson, Shermaine Claybrooks, Taylor Bearden, Simone Harris and Riley Richardson along with the boys 4x800 team of Jamison Greer, Clarence Lamb, Carl Perkins and Garrado Mullins have great chances.

Bearden could qualify in the 300 meter hurdles as well as Caprice Smythe in the long jump.

Freshman Angel Carrillo also looks to have a very promising career for Shelbyville.