Roane State Community College

 

Feb. 23, 2015

Roane State Community College’s softball team is ready to vie for a place in the conference’s upper echelon, head coach Sue Niemi said.

“The girls’ goal is to win the conference,” Niemi said. “They want to put themselves in that situation.”

The Raiders have 10 second-year players with veterans in the infield, outfield and on the pitching staff.

“Toward the end of last season, they understood what they had and what they could do, and a lot of that has carried over,” assistant coach Jessica Hackworth said.

Roane State’s offense has power throughout the lineup. The team hit 42 home runs last season, an all-time high. Sophomore Sarah Freels recorded 19 home runs, which ranked among the top 10 in the country. She also scored 45 runs, batted .348 and hit 16 doubles.

Sophomore Kelly Cooper blasted eight home runs, hit 11 doubles and drove in 36 runs. Sophomore Najmeh Brown had six home runs, 10 doubles and 27 RBIs.

Hackworth said the offense also has plenty of speed.

Defensively, Roane State has veterans at all positions except catcher. Sophomore Jenna Roberts plays center field. Niemi said Roberts can cover a lot of ground, has a strong arm and can “make ESPN diving catches.”

Sophomore Amber Mainord plays left field, and sophomore Tiffany Cathey is the right fielder. Both have good speed and solid arm strength, Niemi said.

Niemi described the infield as “stellar.” Cooper anchors first base with Brown at second, Freels at shortstop and freshman Mary Bush at third base.

“They communicate well,” Niemi said. “They don’t hesitate. They all field their positions well. They know where they need to go with runners on base.”

Hackworth described the infielders as “athletic and ball-minded.”

“They know what to do, where to go and what to do if something goes awry,” Hackworth said. “They can adjust quickly on the spot.”

Catching duties will be split between three freshmen: Ashton Bowles, Danielle Cherry and Maleah Hipsher.  Bowles is the best blocker, Niemi said. Cherry is left-handed and has a “great” arm, Niemi said. Hipsher is the strongest offensive threat.

On the mound, Brown, sophomore Kacy Russell and Bush give the Raiders a “strong and consistent” pitching rotation, Hackworth said.

Brown has the most power among the three, touching 60-61 mph with her fastball. Russell provides a change of pace because she works quickly. She has outstanding control, Hackworth said. Bush has good power and hard spin on her pitches.

“All can start, go a whole game, fill in as relief pitchers or close out a game,” Niemi said.

Niemi challenged her squad with preseason games against seventh-ranked Wallace State and No. 14 Southern Union. The early season competition, Niemi said, will help the team be prepared for highly ranked conference foes such as Chattanooga State and Walters State.

“We wanted them to face better competition to get them ready for the conference,” Niemi said.

Niemi noted that higher expectations have her team focused.

“You do the little things on the field to get better when you have higher expectations,” she said. “We’d liked for people to come out and watch because we are a pretty exciting team.”

For the most up-to-date schedule of games, visit roanestate.edu/athletics.

Roster

Ashton Bowles, No. 4, C, FR, Bean Station

Samantha Bowling, No. 1, INF/OF, SO, Sweetwater          

Najmeh Brown, No. 24, P/INF, SO, Portland          

Mary Bush, No. 12, P/INF, FR, Carthage

Tiffany Cathey, No. 11, OF, SO, Nashville

Kelly Cooper, No. 44, INF, SO, Maynardville

Danielle Cherry, No. 13, C, FR, Franklin

Eboni Dowlen, No. 36, INF, SO, Clarksville

Ashley Farmer, No. 22, INF, FR, Collingwood

Sarah Freels, No. 10, INF, SO, Dayton

Maleah Hipsher, No. 20, C, FR, Knoxville

Amber Mainord, No. 2, OF, SO, Cookeville

Jenna Roberts, No. 21, OF, SO, Cookeville

Kacy Russell, No. 27, P, SO, Knoxville

Courtney Winston, No. 15, INF, FR, Perry, Ga.

Keeley Winston, No. 14, OF, FR, Perry, GA