The roster for Smyrna High’s junior varsity softball team is loaded with talented young players, and the results on the diamond reflect it.
Over the past two seasons, the J.V. Eagles have won a total of 26 games while losing only two. Smyrna’s J.V. soared to a 14-1 record in 2008, and followed it up with a 12-1 record this spring.
In the second game of the 2008 season, the Eagles suffered a tough 3-2 loss at Indian River, but the Smyrna girls went on to win their final 13 games to finish 14-1.
J.V. head coach Rich Dale said the most rewarding win of the season was a come-from-behind victory over Milford. The first four hitters in the J.V. lineup were called up to the varsity, and the J.V. team played at Milford without them. The Eagles trailed 5-4 going into the final inning, but rallied for three runs to win 7-5.
The Smyrna J.V. also notched a big win at Caravel, 2-1, with Paige Dickerson on the mound.
Paige Dickerson was the J.V.’s main pitcher at the start of the season, but when she was called up to the varsity, Katie Vinyard took over and never lost a game. Dickerson came back near the end to pitch some more for the J.V. squad. Dickerson went 6-1 as the pitcher for the J.V. team, and Vinyard went 8-0 on the mound.
In 2009, the J.V. Eagles won their final nine games to finish the season 12-1.
After the team’s one loss, the Eagles had to face Sussex Tech, Sussex Central and Cape Henlopen, three schools with strong softball programs. The Smyrna J.V. won all three games by a combined score of 54-0.
Emily Smith went 6-1 as pitcher for the J.V. this spring, while Katie Vinyard went 5-0 on the mound and Paige Dickerson was 1-0.
Coach Dale, who has led the J.V. team the past two seasons along with assistant coach Meghan Hanebutt, credited the softball programs in the area, like Little Lass and travel ball, for developing the players’ skills.
“They come in and they’re talented and have a high skill level,” said coach Dale. “A good handful of these girls would have been playing varsity at most other schools.”
Vinyard voted team MVP
In voting done by the players, junior Katie Vinyard was named team MVP this spring for the second straight year. She was also team captain for 2009.
“All the players respect Katie for everything she brings to the team,” said coach Dale. “Not just her softball skills but her leadership, her positive attitude, and her respect toward teammates and coaches.”
Sophomore Kala Ford has been the J.V. team’s centerfielder the past two seasons. Her teammates voted her the team’s “Gold Glove Award” winner this season. Ford scored 21 runs this spring.
Sophomore Kelsey Knab was the Eagles starting catcher the past two seasons and the cleanup hitter this season. Kelsey was voted the team’s “Silver Slugger Award” winner the past two seasons. Knab scored 22 runs this season.
Junior Mallory Fisher, who has played outfield for the J.V. team the past two seasons, was the winner of the team’s “Top Teammate Award” this spring.
Infielder Amanda Scotton, a junior, provided some clutch hits while batting fifth for the Eagles the past two seasons.
Emily Smith was voted this year’s “Ace Pitcher” by her teammates. When not pitching, Smith was the starting shortstop for the J.V. She also batted leadoff because of her ability to work the pitcher and scored 19 runs.
Meghan Baker batted third all season and led the J.V. team in runs with 23. Coach Dale said she played solid defense anywhere she was needed in the infield.
Emily Carrow played shortstop and third base and scored 17 runs. Though only a freshman, she brought leadership to the team and always put the team first.
Starting outfielder Kylee Davis came up with many big hits this season for the Eagles.
Sophomore Jessica McNatt has been a solid catcher and outfielder who is always in the starting lineup for her good defensive play.
Other players who have contributed to the J.V. team’s success are Anna Ruggiero, Courtney Baker, Sarah Davis, Katie Harrington and Alexandra Porte.
