NEW MARKET —Macie Shirk has been the constant for Southmont softball the last few seasons. The 2021 Journal Review Player of the Year will look to build off a stellar junior season where she hit .534 with 27 runs batted in and on the mound went 10-1 with 141 strikeouts as she and the rest of the Mounties look for more success this year.
The Mounties went 14-10 in 2021 and will return five starters from a season ago in Shirk, Hanna Nichols, Elizabeth Conkright, Chelsea Veatch, and Taylor Grino. Led by longtime coach Dan Taylor the Mounties with that nucleus of returning starters hope to be just as, if not better than a season ago.
“Last year we broke almost all of our offensive records,” Taylor said. “We expect our offense to be strong once again. Our 112 stolen bases were one of those records and led the conference and we expect to run a lot again this year.”
The Mounties did lose key seniors in Natalie Manion, Marissa Craig, Abby Gass, Emalie Ayers, and Kayden Wilbur, but the rest of the Mounties that are expected to contribute include Dara Watson and Brady Spencer along with freshman Mallory Mason and Cheyenne Shaw and Allie Rhodes.
“Having both Macie and Hanna back as our battery gives us a nice foundation to build off of,” Taylor said.
The Mounties are expected to be the heavy favorites once again to claim the county title and will look to add another sectional title to the mantle.
Western Boone is expected to once again be the main threat for the Mounties in the sectional as the Stars advanced all the way to the Regional Final last season.
With Shirk and a plethora of speed and returning starters, the Mounties will once again be a likely tough out all season long.
