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The Troup softball team is going through a transition. After falling just one game short of winning their regional bracket and booking a spot in the Elite Eight in Columbus, the Tigers are staring down the barrel of a transition year.

The Tigers lost five starters from last year’s team and have a couple of players including star Camdyn Bassett banged up coming into the season.

The team is not looking for excuses or sympathy. This is a chance for some inexperienced girls to step up and put their mark on Troup softball.

“We just have to lock in and get better every day,” Troup coach Ryan Simpson said. “This year is going to be tough and the girls know that they are going to have to push themselves if we are to succeed.”

With just one senior — Bassett — on the team, the Tigers have a real chance to build a team that will not just be competitive this year but have immense potential heading into the next couple of seasons.

Troup will be relying on a plethora of young faces. With so many new sophomores in the lineup, an influx of talented freshman and eighth graders (JV) and just one senior, Troup will be relying on their junior class to be the bridge between the youth movement and the old guard and coaches.

“Our leadership this year really starts with Camdyn and those juniors,” Simpson said. “The juniors are going to have to step up and be vocal and lead the younger girls.”

Troup will have a ton of flexibility this season with multiple girls able to fill a multitude of different roles for the team. 

PITCHERS:

Last year’s no 1 pitcher Camdyn Bassett, now a senior, is nursing a shoulder injury coming into the season and when she may be able to pitch, if at all, is completely up in the air. Bassett pitched 75 innings last year, almost half of the team’s total innings. Bassett will be able to make some appearances from the plate this season. She hit .359 with 21 RBIs a season ago.

The Tigers also lost last year’s no. 2 pitcher Anna Grace Keller leaving the position with some question marks.

Troup mainly relied on just three pitchers last season with Kaitlyn Smalley being the other important piece of the rotation. Smalley pitched 20 innings last season with an ERA of 2.80.

The Tigers will be relying on a couple of young pitchers to step up this season. Sophomore Kennedy McCoy and junior Kaylee Umfress. The two pitched just a shade over 11 innings combined last year with McCoy throwing 165 pitches and Umfress throwing 31. The two will take on much larger roles this season.

“Kaylee Umfress and Kennedy are really going to have to step up for us this year,” Simpson said. “They pitched a lot on JV last year. We have a young pitching staff, but the talent is there.”

CATCHER:

With so much turnover at the pitcher position, it is important to have a reliable catcher behind home plate and the Tigers have just that in Junior Gracie Baker. 

“It’s so great to have a catcher that I’ve known and worked with,” said Smalley, one of the team’s starting pitchers. “I know whenever I go in the circle that she is going to get the job done.”

“It’s so great to work with pitchers that I have that bond with because we can pick up on little things during the game,” Baker added.

The pitchers will have a sense of familiarity with Baker, who played in 23 games a season ago. Her threat on offense is starting to match her reliability on defense as she continues to develop.

“We only have one senior, so the juniors are having to step up and Gracie has been a lot more vocal this year,” Simpson said. “She’s been a huge help this year showing some of the younger girls the ropes.”

Martie Lock and Bailey Pike will provide depth at catcher.

INFIELDERS:

The Tigers lost their entire starting right side of the infield. Madeira Sirmons (1B) and Hadilee Arnold (2B) were leaders and pivotal players for the team, but with the two graduated, the Tigers will have to rely on some less experienced girls to fill those roles.

Sophomore Olivia Damron is in line to start at first base. She was used sporadically as a pinch runner last season and had nine plate appearances. Damron has been playing travel ball practically non-stop since last season and has shown tremendous signs of improvement.

“Her growth has been massive this summer,” Simpson said. “She’s hitting home runs now and she is making fewer errors when she is on defense. She’s going to have a huge year for us.”

Fellow sophomore Kennedy McCoy may also see time at first base. She went 3-for-6 in limited time at the plate last year. 

Second base is still up for grabs at the moment. Sophomore Kaylee Cardwell has the inside track at the moment. She appeared in 24 games last season, mostly as a pinch runner.

Shortstop was occupied by Zoe Graham last season. She had a breakout season as a sophomore and has shown signs of improvement heading into her junior season.

“Zoe really stepped up and shocked me with how she has been playing at third base. Usually, that is where Camdyn will play but she’s on a limited throwing program for another week and a half to two weeks,” Simpson said. “Her speed and movement and her ability to react quickly to bunts has been huge. She will split time between short and third base.”

When healthy Camdyn Bassett can play third base.

Sophomore Kaylee Godfrey could step in and start in the middle of the infield. Junior Kaitlyn Smalley might also see some time in the middle of the infield. 

OUTFIELD:

Haley Kitchens and Patience Watkins were reliable outfielders for the Tigers, but they have since graduated, leaving just one starter, Sheniyah Philpot, in the outfield. Philpot, a junior, has been on the team’s best players since bursting onto the scene as a freshman. She hit .363 while leading the team in hits (33) and third in RBIs (20).

“With the field getting renovations we haven’t been hitting as much,” Philpot said. “Once the season gets here we will be ready and prepared.”

When Kaitlyn Smalley is not pitching, expect to find her as one of the starting outfielders. She gives the Tigers a good glove in the outfield and an even better bat. She led the team in batting average among girls with at least 20 plate appearances, hitting .417 while leading the team in RBIs with 23 last year.

Junior Kaylee Umfress will also start in the outfield when she is not on the mound. She was 8-for-18 from the plate and had five RBIs as a sophomore.

“I think the outfield will probably be the strongest part of our team,” Simpson said. “All three girls have starting experience from last year.” 

WHEN DOES IT START:

Troup will start its season on Thursday with a home game against Heard County.

“I want to throw up, I’m so anxious,” Bassett said as she gets ready to start her final season with Troup. “I’m excited, nervous, ready. I’m feeling a lot right now.”