Dillon Christian softball starts strong despite big losses

           Dillon – Tommy Sherman didn’t quite know how to read his Dillon Christian School softball team coming into the season. The Warriors had six starters returning from a team that went 16-14 and pushed eventual SCISA AA state champion Clarendon Hall to the if game in their half of the state tournament bracket.

           However, the three they lost were All-Region performers Salena Johnson and Alex Heasley and Region Player of the Year and standout pitcher Savannah Sherman.

           It’s been so far, so good for DCS, which was off to a 9-3 overall start and was undefeated in Region 3.

           “I wasn’t really sure how this year’s team would react after losing three senior starters who contributed a ton, but so far the girls have really stepped up and are playing really good ball,” said Coach Sherman. “(Lillie) Shooter has been solid in the circle and my four upper class girls are getting it done at the plate.”

           Those four girls are senior Hayleigh Atkinson, junior Molly Andrews, junior Madison Coleman and junior Erika Williamson. Atkinson is batting .571 with five home runs and will join Savannah Sherman at Florence-Darlington Technical College next year. Andrews, a Coker College commitment, is batting .500 with three homers. Coleman is batting .435 and Williamson .364.

           Shooter, a sophomore, started last year, just not on the mound. She had worked 58 innings and had 56 strikeouts against 23 walks. She was also doing a good job at the plate with a .444 average.

           Atkinson is the starting shortstop, while Andrews starts at third base. Williamson patrols center field, and Coleman starts in left. Atkinson, Andrews and Coleman were returning starters.

           The other four starters are all sophomores. Presley McKenzie is the catcher, Story Lane the first baseman, Kara Hunt the second baseman and Braylin Carter the rightfielder. Hunt, a returning starter, was batting .269, while McKenzie, another returning starter, was batting .192. Carter was batting .292 and Lane owned a .179 average.

           Dillon Christian had some massive on-base percentages as well. Atkinson and Andrews were both well over .700 in OBP, Atkinson at .763 and Andrews at .744. Coleman had an on-base percentage of .581, Shooter .487, Williamson .475, Hunt .441, McKenzie .417, Carter .414 and Story .378.

           Coach Sherman said the goal is a simple one for the Warriors.

           “Our goal is to finish strong, win region again, and play for the state championship.”