TheTimesTribune.com, Corbin, KY

Local Sports

Discussion

March 12, 2013

Team to Beat

North Laurel enters 2013 season ranked fifth in state

By Chris Parsons The Times-Tribune

NORTH LAUREL — After an impressive run in 2012 that ended with a 9-8 loss to Lone Oak in the state tournament, this year’s version of the North Laurel Lady Jaguars softball team has some unfinished business.

The Lady Jaguars come into the 2013 season not only as the team to beat in the 13th Region, but as the No. 5 team in the state behind (in order) Owensboro Catholic, Mercy, Greenwood and Scott County.

As if the high ranking and last year’s state tournament run wasn’t enough, North Laurel returns eight starters from last season. With six seniors heading up this year’s squad, Lady Jaguars coach Rogers Strong said expectations may be high this year, but he admitted the work still had to be done.

“We feel real comfortable with the kids we have coming back,” Strong said. “We have eight full-time starters back and a part-time starter, so we have plenty of experience, so we feel like this could really be a special year.

“The thing about it is that trips to the state tournament aren’t just handed to you because you’re ranked high,” he added. “We will have our work cut out for us because you have to go out and win games, but we feel confident that if these kids go out and play the way they are capable of playing, this can be a great season for them.”

The highly touted senior group consists of Megan Baldwin, Sidney Harrell, Blake Johnson, Emily Sears, Vanessa Smith and Farris Strong. The majority of this group has been in the North Laurel program for quite some time. Strong said it’s that dedication that has helped

“Megan (Baldwin) is our number one pitcher and she had an outstanding year last season,” Strong said. “She’s worked hard in the offseason to get better in her off-speed stuff, so we think she can really be good for us this season.

“Our catcher, Blake Johnson, has started for five years behind the plate, which is unusual,” he added. “With her and Megan at the battery, we expect them to hold things down quite well for us.”

With Baldwin pitching, the Lady Jaguars shouldn’t need much defense. Last season, the team only allowed 1.8 runs per game, while the team notched 17 shutouts on the season. In the 12 games against 13th Region foes, the Lady Jaguars held opponents scoreless in eight of them.

Offensively, North Laurel scores 6.8 rpg, setting the tone early and often as 21 of its 38 wins were by five runs or more.

Considering last season’s success, North Laurel goes into the season in a different position than last year. Given the fact the team has had success in the past, Strong said he feels like this year’s team has more of a target on its back compared to last season.

“I feel like we were able to kind of fly under the radar at the state level last season, as far as what was expected,” he said. “After our run in the state tournament, we may be a little more recognized, which means teams are going to be a little more familiar with what we’re doing here.

“The good news is I think our kids can stand up and deal with the pressure of playing well, especially considering our schedule,” he added. “They’re going to have to hit the ground running when the season starts because we have some very tough games early on. Our kids are going to be tested from the start, so by the time postseason rolls around, we’ll know if we have what it takes to get where we want to be.”

Text Only
Local Sports
  • 0524 BHS Bobbi Rudd.jpg Heartbreak City

    The Barbourville Lady Tigers (5-18) came into Thursday’s 51st District Tournament semifinal game against Pineville having beaten the Lady Mountain Lions twice this season by scores of 12-8 and 14-3.

    May 24, 2013 2 Photos

  • 0524 KCHS Drew Mills.jpg Panthers blank Pineville to grab 51st District Championship

    Behind the arm of freshman pitcher Drew Mills, the Knox Central Panthers shutout the Pineville Mountain Lions 4-0 to capture the 51st District Championship.

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo

  • 0523 slhs Makenzie Powenski.jpg Hyde leads the way

    South Laurel senior Amber Hyde usually never swings at high pitches, but it was a good thing she did during the sixth inning of the 50th District championship game Wednesday.

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • 0523 slhs Troy Martin.jpg Martin tosses a jewel

    CORBIN — It didn’t come easy, but the South Laurel Cardinals completed a three-peat Wednesday with a 3-1 win over Corbin, earning their third straight 50th District Championship.

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • 0522 lchs Clyde Dixon.jpg Moving on

    The Lynn Camp Wildcat basketball program is searching for a new coach after Clyde Dixon decided to retire after three years as head coach in his second stint coaching the Wildcats.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • Les Dixon 13th Region rumors may excite, but seldom turn out to be true

    It seems like high school basketball season just ended, but actually it’s been two months since the round ball has been tossed up in the 13th Region.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • Gotta Finish

    The Williamsburg Yellow Jackets are a perfect example of the saying ‘It’s not how you start, but how you finish that matters.’

    May 22, 2013

  • Williamsburg will graduate six seniors

    The Williamsburg Lady Yellow Jackets' season came to an end following Monday's 10-0 loss to South Laurel in the 50th District Tournament, giving the team a 7-20 record on the year.

    May 22, 2013

  • 0521 nlhs baseball champions.jpg Twice as Nice

    With a 6-3 win over the Clay County Tigers, the North Laurel Jaguars became back-to-back 49th District Champions on Monday night.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • Moving On

    Corbin’s Kevin Goins has come to be known as Mr. Reliable on the pitcher’s mound this season and Monday wasn’t any different for the junior hurler.

    May 21, 2013