State or Nothing Else: 2016 Gordonsville Tigerettes Softball

March 16, 2016

Since taking over the program in 2009, Coach Jonathan Bush has made Gordonsville Softball one of the biggest names in the state. After capturing the 2014 Class A State Championship behind Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year and current UT-Chattanooga pitcher, Cori Jennings, the sky is the limit for the Tigerettes each year. Coach Bush will look to once again compete for another state title this season behind a group of seniors that has one goal…winning state!

A solid 2015 season came to an abrupt ending last year in the sub-state contest versus Marion County. However, Coach Bush has used this as motivation for his seniors and the rest of the Tigerettes this season. “Last year our team fell to a very good Marion County team in the sub-state contest. Each day I tell these girls that the expectations are high and that’s what you should want. With that, however, comes hard work, good competition, and playing at a high level each and every day” stated Bush. “In four years, these seniors are 29-3 in District play, with three district titles, two state tournament appearances, a state championship, and an overall record of 110-46” Bush concluded. With that being said, there should be no disappointment come May for the Tigerettes this season.

The Tigerette coaching staff will consist of Jonathan Bush, Mark West, Lindsay Foster, Courtney Maynard, and Jacqueline Crawford. Head Coach Jonathan Bush enters his seventh year with the program and looks to capture yet another Class A State title. Coach Mark West enters his fourth year with the program as the outfield and 1B coach. Lindsay Foster, Courtney Maynard, and Jacqueline Crawford, all former Tigerette standouts, enter their second seasons with the program.

The 2016 Tigerettes will be led by a group of seniors that are very determined to have a solid final year. Including two Cumberland University signees, Shelby Prichard and Robin Anne Hord, this group will serve both as leaders as well as role models for this year’s squad. They are looked upon by three juniors, eight sophomores, and five freshmen. The following are Coach Bush’s expectations for each of the Tigerettes this season.

Seniors

#17 Shelby West – “Shelby had a great year in the circle for us last season, and earned the District MVP going 8-0 in District play. Again this year, I feel our strong point will be that we have a veteran in the circle. Shelby was also huge for us on the offensive side with her bat and base running abilities.”

#10 Robin Anne Hord – “Robin Anne will be returning for us at 3rd base where she had a great defensive year. She was one of our leading hitters and became a hard our as the season progressed. I expect Robin Anne to be the leader in the infield for us this year.”

#30 Shelby Prichard – “Shelby is a returning outfielder for us. She is a very consistent player and knows the game well. She swings the bat extremely well and has worked at it to improve daily. Shelby has smart base running skills that will really be important to our team.”

#11 Katlyn Ray – “Katlyn will be returning for us at 1st base which with her height gives the infield a great target to throw to. Katlyn has been hitting the ball well in preseason and is another player who I will need to be a vocal leader for us in the infield.”

#21 Alexa Underwood – “Alexa will be a returning outfielder for us and with her speed should be a big advantage for us. She has unbelievable strength at the plate and is working hard to improve every day. She also gives us speed on the bases which is a huge advantage to our offense.”

Juniors

#9 Hannah Jennings – “Hannah has a really worked hard in the outfield at improving her skills. She has good speed, and has really been improving each practice. I feel Hannah will have a good season this year.”

#7 Allyson West – “Allyson will be returning behind the plate this year. Allyson has a very strong arm, which is a huge advantage because teams do not try to steal much on her. On the offensive side, she has the ability to hit the ball deep. I feel she will hit a few homeruns for us this year.”

#13 Madison Gentry – “Madison will be seeing action in the outfield and do some pitching for us also. She had developed a hard swing over the offseason and is working hard in practice to get better daily.”

Sophomores

#16 Caitlyn Griffin – “Caitlyn had a great freshman year at second base and was our leadoff hitter last year. She has a great mind of the game, but unfortunately will miss this season due to a knee injury. She is working hard in rehab and is a strong competitor, so I know she will bounce back greatly and be ready for next year.”

#18 Hallie Dillard – “Hallie will be playing in the infield this year. She is quick and has a good glove. She runs the bases well, and I see that as being a plus for our team.”

#34 Grace Leslie – “Grace will be seeing action in the circle and in the outfield this year. She got a lot of action in the circle last year, but should see even more this year in bigger games. She has a solid frame and the range to be a pitcher. As she continues to improve, she will be an asset to our team.”

#20 Shelby Williams – “Shelby will be playing in the infield this year. She has worked hard and has developed a good swing at the plate. Shelby also has speed that could help us.”

#12 Lauren Montgomery – “Lauren will be seeing action in the outfield this year. She had unbelievable strength at the plate and is working hard to develop that swing. She is another player that runs the bases well.”

#23 Emma Wood – “Emma will be seeing action in the infield this year. She is working hard and improving daily. She has quickness that we should be able to use during base running.”

#32 Jera Gibbs – “Jera will see action in the outfield and infield this year. She swings the bat hard at the plate and is working hard in practice to develop that swing.”

#00 Ashley Griese – “Ashley will be in the infield this year. She working hard and developing a good swing. She also runs well and could help us on the bases this season.”

Freshmen

#6 Piper Conditt – “Piper will be seeing action in the infield. She has great quickness and has a good arm. With her speed, she will also give us a great advantage on the bases.”

#44 Maggie Mason – “Maggie will be in the outfield and in the circle this year. She is working hard on her pitching and is improving daily on it. She is throwing harder each week.”

#3 Erin Wagner – “Erin will be in the infield this year and also in the circle. She is also working hard on her pitching and gaining more and more speed each day.”