Hartsville High School softball
Amber Harvey enters her third year as coach of the Hartsville Lady Red Foxes. Looking to improve on last year’s 8-5 record, the Lady Red Foxes will depend on reliable lefty pitcher Alyssa Poston to keep opponent run totals to a minimum.
Fellow seniors Olivia Martin will do the catching and Kindan Dawson will patrol left field. With only three seniors, one might think there would be a lot of inexperience. However, the 8th and 9th graders gained valuable playing time last season and are poised to make their marks this year.
First base is still up for grabs, but 7th grader Emma Kate Hudson will patrol second base. Shortstop belongs to 8th grader Myah Harvey. Caydon Thompson will be stationed at the hot corner. Freshman Jaysha McCullough will roam the grass in center field. The likely designated player will be 8th grader Sarah Watkins.
Competition for the remaining spots is still ongoing between junior McKayla Ghoens, sophomore Jamarria Pendergrass, and 7th grader Abbey Byrd. Junior Avarie Easters will also play into the mix as she recovers from an injury. The back-up pitcher, Allie Bailey, is a freshman who will see action, especially in non-Region games.
Coach Harvey is assisted by Tommy Garrison and Branden Tedder.
Hartsville won their first state championship in 2012. After finishing as runner-up the next three seasons, they won it all again in 2016. They were bridesmaids again in 2017-18, but went undefeated in 2019 to reign once more.
— Don Gearhart