CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Local high school softball coaches give a breakdown of their individual teams and outlook on the upcoming campaign.

District 10-AAA

Clarksville

Coach: Brian Rush, 12th year

2019 record: 39-2, first in District 10-AAA

Starters graduated/returning: 3/6

Key departures: C Shelby Gibson (All-District); LF Lucy Chilcutt (All-District); 1B Taylor Adkins (All-District)

Key returners: CF Madison Berner Sr. (committed to APSU); P Madison Haught Sr. (committed to Calhoun College); 2B Arie Milam Sr. (committed to Dyersburg State); 3B Madisen Blackwell Sr. (committed to Union University), 1B Gracelyn Woollen Jr.; SS Erin Lackey Jr.; P/LF Emberly Nichols So.; RF Macy Brown Jr.

Key newcomers: UTL Katelyn Cotton Fr.; UTL Meagan Blackwell Fr.

Outlook: “Coming off a very successful 2019 season, we are looking to make a run into state,” Rush said. “We are looking to replace our graduating seniors plus a couple of injuries.”

Montgomery Central

Coach: Corey Bucciarelli, second year

2019 record: 20-13, fourth in District 10-AAA

Starters graduated/returning: 2/7

Key departures: P Miranda Francis (Jackson State); OF Taylor Webb

Key returners: 3B/SS Kaitlin Woodruff Sr. (Committed to APSU) (All-District); 1B Katie Brooks Jr.; C Alyssa Hudson Jr. (2nd-team All-Area); SS/2B/C Keli Stump So.

Key newcomers: P Payton Harris Fr.; CF Elizabeth Kolozky Fr.; SS/2B Lauren Ashby Fr.

Outlook: “Coming off a successful 2019 season with 20 wins, we are looking to move up in the district after finishing fourth last season,” Bucciarelli said. “We have awesome senior-junior players and leaders as well as some really talented sophomore and freshman players. Working with the team so far this season I am seeing a lot of strengths and the building of a team atmosphere.”

Northeast

Coach: Lisa Russman, first year

2019 record: 2-12, seventh in District 10-AAA

Starters graduated/returning: 2/7

Key departures: SS Lauren Veltri (Belmont University)

Key returners: 1B/SS Kalli Egger Sr.; 3B Melanie Moore Sr.; C Mackenzie Cherry Sr.; P/2B Mia Lawrence Sr.; SS Heaven Hulsey So.; Brianna Arnoe So.; Chloe Calhoun So.

Key newcomers: P Amanda Torres Fr.; C Alexis Fieseler Fr.; OF Jayci Rhodes Fr.

Outlook: “I’m coming into this new season hearing about the rough 2019 year they had,” Russman said. “I’m looking forward to bringing the team to another level, be competitive and showcase their true skillset.”

Northwest

Coach: Holli Blakeney, second year

2019 record: 5-14, sixth in District 10-AAA

Starters graduated/returning: 6/3

Key departures: Ashlie Steffen (Midway University)

Key returners: P McKenzie Dixon Sr.; C/SS Liberty Smith Sr.; CF Olivia Randall Sr.

Key newcomers: Mahogoni Orange Fr.

Outlook: “We will be a fairly young team,” Blakeney said. “We have had a very successful preseason working hard. I have five pitchers, so I am excited to have so many different looks. Each of the girls are being very supportive of one another and are improving daily. Great leadership is starting to come up from my three captains Breanna Snyder, Olivia Randall and Liberty Smith. They are setting the expectations high for their teammates and being great examples. We have high expectations this season.”

Rossview

Coach: Sydney Huff, first year

2019 record: 15-17, fourth in District 10-AAA

Starters graduated/returning: 3/6

Key departures: 2B Bianca Guarino (All-District); OF Abby Mills; P Katelyn Grant.

Key returners: 3B Madison Sartain Sr. (All-Tournament); CF Morgan Windham Sr., (All-District (commit to University of West Alabama); SS Zailia Osborne Jr.

Outlook: “We are coming off another more successful 2019 season and are hoping to keep improving Rossview’s record by getting it back to the top where we once were,” Huff said. “To compete for the District-10AAA title, our defense is going to need to be a strong area to back up our upcoming pitchers, as pitching was a key loss from players graduating.”

Division II-A District 4

Clarksville Academy

Coach: Todd Kurtz, second year

2019 record: 0-10, last in Division II-A District 4

Starters graduated/returning: 0/9

Key departures: none

Key returners: Joie Giarrizzo Sr. (2020 Lipscomb Commit); Macy Wallace Sr. (2020 Liberty University commit); Gabi Nicholson Jr. (2021 Tusculum University Commit); Olivia Cutshall Sr.; OF Grace Morris Sr.; OF Brylie Sykes So.; INF Trinity Catallier So.; INF Farrin Yarborough So.

Key newcomers: Carly Robinson Fr.; Elizabeth Cundiff Fr.

Outlook: “Coming off a very positive 2019 finish, we are looking to play deep again this year in district play,” Kurtz said. “CA has a handful of hard-working young talent that will set the tone for years to come. To compete for the district title, our offense from the square will be key. Putting up runs early and maintaining the lead will be our challenge.”