After playing in the State championship game a year ago, the Washington Warrior fast-pitch softball team returns a core nucleus of their team for 2021.
They’re also breaking in a new coach.
First-year Warrior skipper Tylor Lampkin says his team is getting used to his expectations as their new head coach.
“The biggest thing to work on is getting familiar with each other and the growing aspect of the team with a new head coach,” Lampkin said. “They’re a talented group and will learn how I want things done.”
The Warriors are indeed a talented group with returning starters across the board.
Junior Tinley Lucas will direct the action again behind the dish at catcher.
“She’s a pretty special kid,” Lampkin confirmed. “She’s so smart and calls a lot of the pitches. She knows the game and has been around it a lot.”
Lucas’ father, Brad, is the Warrior assistant coach and enters his sixth year on the Washington staff.
Maggie Place and Ellie Loveless will handle most of the heavy lifting in the circle.
Place finished last season with a .784 ERA in 134 innings pitched.
Loveless, a junior like Place, finished last season with 38 strikeouts and 35 innings under her belt.
“Maggie spins (the ball) like crazy and Loveless throws gas,” Lampkin said. “Those two are a really good one-two punch.”
Washington will also have sophomore Emjay Lucas and freshman Olivia Palumbo.
Lucas has varsity experience after appearing in the circle for Washington last season.
“Palumbo and Emjay Lucas are both showing bright signs,” Lampkin said. “If we need them we’ll have them.”
Lampkin figures Emjay Lucas will also play first base this season, along with Place when she’s not pitching.
Skylar Wells has been penciled in at second base along with Swiss Army knife player Isa Portillo also getting reps.
Loveless will play shortstop when she’s not in the circle.
“Skyler will fill in some and we’ll throw in Palumbo too,” Lampkin said.
Junior Elly Allison will hold down the hot corner as the Warriors’ third baseman.
Washington will field a very athletic and speedy outfield with seniors Mattie Richardson, Mikinzy Bost and Portillo along with junior Abby Wood.
“Those girls play at an extremely high level with their speed and arm (strength),” Lampkin said. “Defense will be our biggest strength and we haven’t given up many runs this summer, even if we let someone on base.”
Washington will need to figure out a way to replace the offensive production of All-Stater Emma Curry, who registered 57 RBIs last season.
Also graduating were Katelyn Hicks (All-State), Kinzie Schultz (All-Region) and Kaile Kilmer (All-Region).
Tinley Lucas figures to be part of the answer after knocking in 33 runs last season. Allison and Wood had 16 and 15 respectively.
Washington has been putting in plenty of work lately and developing depth with a challenging scrimmage schedule.
“We’ve been getting lots of reps in with everyone,” Lampkin said. “It’s been a little weird at time with some of the travel ball girls not always being here but other girls are getting opportunities to play more.”
After going 37-6 last season, the Warriors have the talent to continue the momentum into the 2021 season, but Lampkin looks to develop the character of the team along the way.
“We talk all the time about our focus on being a good teammate and caring about each other more than we care about ourselves,” he said. “If they buy into that we’ll have good things happen.”
Washington’s kicks off the season Monday at Tuttle at 6 p.m.
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