Young Carolina Academy softball team shows great potential

Lake City – Long-time head softball coach Scotty Phillips knows his tenure at Carolina Academy is winding down. However, the 61-year old Phillips would love to see his current team through for the next few years.

Phillips feels he has a team capable of making a serious run at championships, though it may not be in 2024. The coach has one of the youngest varsity teams in SCISA Class AAA, a roster with no seniors, no juniors and only three sophomores.

In fact, Carolina Academy had to petition the SCISA powers that be to allow seventh-graders to participate on the varsity level so they would be able to field a team this spring.

“We’re young, really like a junior varsity team playing a varsity schedule,” Phillips says. “Our jayvee team is basically a b-team. We’re very young across the board.”

Youthful enthusiasm, says the coach, can be an advantage.

“They have a lot of energy and they work and play hard,” the coach said. “They’re a pretty talented little group. I think this team has a lot of potential and I am excited to see where they end up in a year or two. They are competing.”

While wins have been hard to come by (the record heading into spring break is 3-6), the Lady Bobcats are competitive in most every game. Among the early wins was a victory over perennial state title contender Williamsburg Academy.

Carolina Academy is well-stocked with young pitching potential. Sophomore Raeley Frye is the top performer inside the circle and continues to show steady improvement.

“The biggest thing with her is consistency,” Phillips says. “She is really good and can mix up the pitches. When she’s consistent early in the count, she can be very tough. She has a great future.”

Eighth-grader Lauren Sims and eighth-grader Ella Ham also get work inside the circle. Sims also plays third base defensively while Ham is the starting centerfielder.

Behind the dish is sophomore Carly Ann Smith, a returning starter from last season. Eighth-grader Lexi McCutcheon is starting at first base while seventh-grader Paisley McCutcheon is working at second base.

One of the top offensive threats is freshman shortstop Kelsie Smith, who is hitting around .500 with three homers early on.

“She’s a player, a really good hitter that’s going to be something to watch for the next few years,” Phillips said.

Seventh-grader Natalie Brayboy is starting in leftfield while eighth-grader Paisley Coker and sophomore Jennifer Vargas are sharing time in right field. Sophomore Hannah Grace Matthews also is seeing some work as an outfielder.

“This is going to be a good team,” Phillips predicts. “We just need to grow, get stronger and keep improving. Varsity softball is a lot different than junior varsity softball.”