BY EARL VAUGHAN JR. | CityView Sports Columnist
Phil Dean figured he had the pieces coming back this year to field a solid softball team at South View High School.
“We had a good nucleus,’’ he said. “We’ve worked really hard to make sure we’ve got the right people in the right place.’’
The formula has been working, with one exception. The Tigers find themselves in the same conference with a Lumberton team that is one of the best in the eastern half of the state so far this season.
Wednesday night, the Tigers suffered their second loss of the year to the Pirates, this one 4-2 in nine innings. Those are the only blemishes on the 11-2 Tiger record this season.
The key to South View’s success this season, as is normally the case in softball, is solid pitching. Dean already had an established arm available in sophomore Jordynn Parnell. This year he’s added junior Kaylie Cook to the mix.
Cook, who also plays outfield, became important on the mound when the Tigers had to rely on her early in the season while Parnell was still busy with the South View basketball team.
“Kaylie gave us some quality time pitching for us early and has been successful,’’ Dean said. “We’ve been able to not throw Jordynn every game and give her some experience in a different position as well.’’
Dean said it’s important in softball to have players capable of playing multiple positions. “Right now we have many girls who can do just that,’’ he said.
According to the most recent South View statistics on MaxPreps, Cook leads the team in batting with a .676 average. She’s also tops in on base percentage at .738.
As a pitcher, she’s got the team’s top earned run average of 1.31. She’s struck out 36 batters in 21.1 innings.
Cook said she’s always been a good hitter but tried to put in more work on her pitching entering this season. “I’ve gotten faster since last year and my mentality is better than last year.’’ She added she’s improved on not getting down on herself after a poor performance.
She feels the Tigers are coming together as a team and are working to get in the right mindset.
Dean said his players got a much deserved break during the recent Easter holiday week but is anxious to return to competition. He was disappointed the Tigers had to cancel two scheduled games with Scotland High School because they were unable to find other dates on their schedule.
“We were looking forward to it because of the competition they bring,’’ Dean said. Playing the Scots would have also helped the Tigers with their statewide ranking for the upcoming NCHSAA playoffs.
“We’ve just got to do the same things,’’ Dean said. “We’ve got to make adjustments and hit the ball like we’re capable of hitting the ball.’’
Jack Britt girls’ basketball coach Nattlie McArthur announced her retirement on social media this week after 25 years.
She was a standout player at South View under Brent Barker and spent nine years on the bench as his assistant before trying her own hand as a head coach at Britt.
In her farewell announcement she thanked Barker and all the assistants and players she worked with over the years.
“To everyone who has supported us along the way, I am forever grateful for you,’’ she said.
