With a very athletic returning nucleus, the Kingston Lady Redskins aim to take the next step in challenging for the Class 3A state softball tournament this fall.
Coach Aaron Minor welcomes back six starters and will be aided by a pair of move- ins after posting a 21-16 record in 2024, which included a regional championship and trip to the super regional playoffs.
Youth will still be in abundance for Kingston with a lineup that will be packed with sophomores and juniors along with a couple of freshmen likely most of the time. Amberly Hallum, the team’s lone senior, is still recovering from an ACL injury suffered in last year’s super regional but is hopeful for a possible return later in the season.
“We will be very, very athletic,” Minor stated. “This is one of the most athletic teams that I have ever coached. Our hitting has improved, and we’ve gotten stronger since last year. Our goal is to be as aggressive as we can and force opponents to make mistakes. We should continue to get better and better as the season goes along.”
Sophomore Kate Ratzlaff returns as the team’s spark plug at the top of the lineup and will catch. She is the top returning hitter from a year ago.
Fellow sophomores Audrey Hughes and Emma Bridgeman are expected to play the corner infield positions at third and first respectively.FreshmanMadi Hammond has displayed strong potential and is penciled in at shortstop with freshman Keeton Hatley, a move-in from Dale poised for second base.
Quickness should be in abundance in the outfield with Kenley Hallum, Ava Bain and Bailey Reagan all expected to make strong contributions.
JuniorDextryBowerman, a move-in from Allen, should lead the charge in the pitching circle with sophomore GracieBridgemanandHammond also seeing key innings along the way.
“All three of our pitchers are getting time right now and I can see each of them getting some work in the early going so they are ready when we need them,” Minor added. “We feel like we can get back to the super regional and if we get the right draw we might can make the state tournament. We have to worry about the district opponents first and it’s going to be pretty challenging with Valliant and Silo in the new district this season.”
With off and on rain during the summer months, the Lady Redskins have already been able to take advantage of their new turfed playing surface at home.
“We have enjoyed the field so far and it’s a luxury to not have to worry about rainouts,” Minor added. “We are hosting a festival in early September, and we hope to add onto that with more teams in the near future.
“We have another challenging schedule that should get us well prepared for another strong playoff run.”