Shawnee softball rebuilds after six seniors graduate

The Shawnee High School softball team is working around the graduation of six senior starters who played on last year’s team, which went 7-6.

“It will be tough this year losing those seniors,” Shawnee coach Russ Marsh said. “We’re going to be young and inexperienced with all the freshmen we have.”

The lone senior who is returning is second baseman Payton Trammel.

The junior Marsh will be counting a lot on is returning South Egyptian all-conference pitcher Autumn McMahan.

“Autumn is a pretty good pitcher and we’ll have to play defense around her,” Marsh said. “If we can’t play defense, we’ll have problems.” 

Other juniors in the mix are shortstop Laycee Presutti and third baseman/left fielder Jaylin Rather.

Sophomores on the team are first baseman Olivia Jackson and center fielder Kirsten Pitts.

Freshmen Marsh will be counting on are catcher Hannah Sichling, left fielder Mariah Faire, right fielder Kyliegh Harris and outfielder Angela Dodson.

“We’ll take it one game at a time,” Marsh said. “We will be rebuilding this year.”

In the South Egyptian Conference, Marsh feels his team should finish in the middle of the pack.

“I think we’ll be okay in the conference,” he said.

Shawnee is scheduled to play Friday at home against Trico.