Timberland Lady Wolves eyeing region championship

By Neill Kirkpatrick

Special to the HSSR

St. Stephens – The Timberland Lady Wolves have gotten off to a slow start in the 2024 season but that has not tempered expectations for the AA softball power as head coach Alexis Rio expects big things for her squad.

“I am expecting a season of growth and rebuilding. This team, for this year, is a melting pot of talent and experience. We have a wide range of ages and softball knowledge. I see us being very successful in our region,” said coach Rio. 

“Right now, we are struggling to score runs but this team has a lot of fight, and they compete at every at bat so I feel that we will eventually start scoring more runs,” Coach said. “I expect that to change so we can make a run at the region championship.

One thing the Lady Wolves can fall back on is four senior All-Region players who have been through the grind and know what it takes to win a region title. Of course, it helps when these four seniors are all headed to play at the next level.

Senior pitcher and infielder Jordyn Carr. She has a career batting average of .382 to go with twenty doubles. She is also a perfect twenty-eight for twenty-eight in steals heading into the season. She has committed to Columbia College.

Madison Graham has committed to USC-Union. She has been a rock behind the dish for coach Rio. She is a solid hitter and has good speed on the base paths as she led the Lady Wolves in steals last season.

Israel Cleveland plays third and has committed to St. Andrews University and Skylar Litchfield has committed to USC-Salkehatchie. Litchfield is a career .300 hitter for coach Rio.

Juniors’ outfielder Natalie Dukich and flex Rilee Waters bring experience to the diamond as both saw a lot of playing time last season. Dukich hit .300 last season and led the team in doubles and triples.

Sophomore Lainey Nichols starts in the outfield after playing a lot as a freshman.

Freshmen Emilee Waters plays first base for the Lady Wolves after batting .340 to go with a team high six doubles last season as an eighth grader.

Two eighth graders Kylee Moody and Kaytie Googe round out the starting nine. Moody plays in the out field while Googe is the team’s shortstop and sees time in the circle. Moody is in her first year with the Lady Wolves.

Freshman: Janiyah Harrell and eighth grader Rylan Wadford are in their first year on the varsity squad.