BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — The 2024 edition of the Tug Valley High School softball team is ready for another good season. Rocky Hall once again coaches the Lady Panthers.
The team went 17-13 last season and won three games in the double-elimination sectional tournament. They lost to a good Buffalo High team by a slim score of 4-3 when they were ousted.
The Lady Panthers have several seniors on the roster and many returning players. They would like nothing better than to make it to the coveted state tournament in May.
The seniors on this year’s squad include Megan Griffey, Haleigh Muncy, Amelya Wellman, Laura Spaulding, Jessica Spaulding and Tailyn Russell. The lone junior is Makenna Osborne. The sophomores are Hailey Newsome, Aleksah Osborne, Kayla Martinez, Rylee Mills and Bailee Hall. Two freshmen round out the squad: Zoey Hensley and Chloe Dyer.
Hall, who is a pitcher and shortstop, was a Class A First-Team All-State pick last season. Third baseman Wellman was an Honorable Mention All-State selection by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.
Hall had an outstanding batting average last season hitting .525 with a team-high eight home runs, 21 RBIs, four doubles and six triples. The sophomore is also an outstanding pitcher.
Wellman hit for a batting average of .500 with 26 RBIs, 13 doubles, a triple and 47 hits for the season.
Returning starters Griffey, Russell, H. Muncy, Farley and J. Spaulding all contributed last season and are expected to have good seasons.
The Lady Panthers got off to a good start in their season opener Thursday. They won 8-0 over East Ridge (KY). Bailee Hall tossed a three-hit shutout, striking out 12 and walking one. She also went 2-for-4 at the plate with a pair of doubles.
Amelya Wellman was 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. Hailey Newsome was 2-for-3 with two runs batted in. Haleigh Muncy doubled.
The Lady Panthers also beat Westside 4-3, Tolsia 15-0 and Charleston Catholic 17-3 last week.
Tug Valley has enjoyed four straight winning seasons and has become a softball contender in Class A.
Hall’s coaching assistants are Chad Hall, Christa Hall, Jordan Mounts and Jamie Heflin.