Lady Wildcats, Vikings in Pursuit of State Softball Titles in 2013

After finishing as state runner-ups in both Class A and Class AA softball last year, our local softball teams are set to go all the way in 2013.

Dillon’s Lady Wildcats were voted the number one team in the state in the preseason softball coaches polls after finishing as state runner-up and returning nearly the entire team. All three pitchers from last season, Darby Hamer, Shaquailla German, and Taylor Price, are set to return, along with Shayna Covington, Rebecca Callahan, Ma’Kayla Drake, Tara Grimsley, and Dakerhia Samuel.

Coach Shirl Carter will also be returning for her ninth season with the Lady Wildcats. She’ll be looking to improve on her 122-75 record and says she thinks the team has the potential to go a long way again this year.

The Wildcats finished 2012 with a 22-5 record after falling to Palmetto in the state championship. Palmetto and Gilbert both moved up to Class 3A this year, while Abbeville, Chesterfield, and Ninety-Six moved up to Class 2A and were all ranked in the top 10 of the Class 2A preseason poll.

The Lady Wildcats were scheduled to begin the season on Monday with an opening ceremony to dedicate their new field, but their opponent cancelled. The opening game has been rescheduled for next Tuesday, March 12, when the Wildcats will host Mullins at 6:30 p.m. with the field dedication at 6:15.

In preseason action, Dillon dropped a tournament game 3-1 to Class 3A’s Marlboro County on Friday, March 1.

Expectations are also high for Latta’s Lady Vikings in 2013. Last season, the Vikings finished as runner-up to Chesterfield, who moved up to Class 2A. Latta will return many of their key players and was tied with East Clarendon at the top of the Class A preseason polls, with Green Sea-Floyds in third. East Clarendon was eliminated by the Trojans in the lower state bracket last season.

Latta defeated Cheraw 5-4 in preseason tournament action and was set to open the regular season against Chesterfield on Monday night. The Lady Vikings will be at home to host West Florence on Friday, March 8, at 6:30 p.m.

After a rebuilding season with a new coach in 2012, Lake View’s Lady Wild Gators will be looking to improve as the season progresses. The team is returning all their starters, including Kayla Sanderson, Morgan Herlong, Chelsea Spivey, Ashley Rogers, Kateland Cox, and Amber Locklear, and will be adding pitcher Marissa Tyndall.

Coach Brandy Huggins, now in her second year, says the girls are still young, but motivated and working hard in practices. The Lady Gators were ranked seventh in the state in the Class A preseason polls. Lake View finished as runner-up to to East Clarendon for the District VII title in 2012.

Lake View picked up a 5-2 win over Andrews in preseason tournament action on Saturday, March 2. The Lady Gators were scheduled to kick off the regular season on Monday night against Mullins and will host Carvers Bay at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday night.

In SCISA softball action, the Dillon Christian School Lady Warriors will be looking to improve as well in 2013. The Lady Warriors will be on the road tonight to take on Williamsburg Academy and will host Carolina Academy on Thursday, March 7.

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