Louisa, Ky. — Versatility is the key for Lawrence Co. Softball under the direction of first year Head Coach Justin Adkins.
2024 Lawrence Co. Softball Team
L to R Back Hallie Adkins, Taylor Blevins, Dani Crum, Brooklyn Ellis, Bree Jones, Leah Branham, Jada Patton, Jaylee Maxie, Abby Nelson, Abby Maynard
L to R Front Aleah Gillispie, Addalyn Woods, Baleigh Blackburn, Braylee Triplett, Lexi Crum, Zoe Bartley, Gracie Preece, Ella Smith, Cassie Damron, Millie Sammons
Lawrence Co. finished 27-13 in Kenny Horn’s final season, won the 58th District and fell in the 15th Region Championship game to Johnson Central.
The Dawgs lost some key pieces from last season including Kensley Feltner but have a bunch of returnees for this season who are primed for breakout seasons.
UPike Signee Dani Crum will be a key component going into her final season in the red and black. Crum will spend most of her time behind home plate and at the top of the lineup, Juniors Bree Jones and Gracie Preece and Senior Abby Nelson will provide some punch as well. 8th Grader Jada Patton should make a jump into the everyday lineup, 8th Graders Addalyn Woods and Hallie Adkins should see time on the field as well. Junior Abby Maynard, Senior Jaylee Maxie and 8th Graders Lexi Crum and Aleaha Gillispie could also crack the lineup.
2024 Bulldog Seniors
Dani Crum, Jaylee Maxie, Abby Nelson
The Dawgs will open the season with home games against 58th District foe Floyd Central on Wednesday and Cross Lanes Christian ( WV ) on Thursday both games beginning at 6:00.
Lawrence Co. Head Coach Justin Adkins
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… It’s been a blur since I was hired, just getting everything ready to start the season, checking grades, attendance and stuff like that because these girls are students first and athletes second. We had some good off season workouts which is voluntary but I was encouraged by the numbers that came out. That gets me very excited for the season. Me and Coach Smith wasn’t used to that at Chesapeake. It’s refreshing to the kids come out on their own and out work in during the off-season.”
“… I think this group has a calmness about them that I really like. With me being new here all of the talk is about JC but this team isn’t pressing, and they have a presence about that is different then any other team that I have been around.”
“… Our schedule is a little bit different this season with a couple from West Virginia and Ohio River teams as well. The girls are ready to get the season going and the weather has cooperated as well. So it should be a good week of softball for us to start the season.”
“… I think our pitching staff will be formidable and Taylor Blevins and Brooklyn Ellis can be a fantastic duo at the top for us. They have really clicked from day one. I don’t think Taylor will have the pressure on her like she has had since she was in the seventh grade. Both girls along with our other pitchers should be fresh for the stretch run. Brooklyn coming over from Spring Valley will help our depth and she adds some power to our lineup as well. She can hit them into the parking lot with ease. We also have Ella Smith and Braylee Triplett who can get some innings in the circle for us. We have four sophomore throwers on our staff.”
“… I’ve never seen anything like Dani Crum at the high school level. I’ve never seen anyone work as hard as she does and it’s really an example for the other girls on the team. She has already signed with UPike and boy are they getting a steal in her. You can see why she is first team all-state, she is always early and always stays late putting in the work to get better. We lost who I heard was one of the best leaders around in Kensley Feltner and hopefully Dani can be a lead by example and focal leader for this bunch. Gracie Preece and Bree Jones are leaders but they are not the rah rah leaders they are lead by example.”
“… I think our three seniors you can a watch them and know what you’re going to get each day. They are all consistent and will show up everyday and do what you ask of them. We have a big sophomore and 8th grade group and they are great for them.”
“… We are versatile, have a bunch of girls that can play multiple positions and that is big for us. During the scrimmage with Russell we moved some people around and we will do the same thing early in the season. We are all in on winning but we want to be hot in May not in March. We want to be ready for the postseason run.”
“… Excited about the Myrtle Beach trip, Class 2A Section tournament and we get to host the District tournament so that’s some things that we are looking forward to this season. It’s a challenging schedule with a bunch of home games so the folks can come see us early and often this season.”
