CORBIN — These are exciting times if you’re a Lynn Camp Lady Wildcat Fastpitch fan.
Coach Nikki Hendrix returns eight starters from last season’s 20-win team that finished as 51st District runner-ups while advancing to the 13th Region Tournament.
Hendrix and her players are looking to take the next step and bring another district title home while making a run at the 13th Region crown.
“We return all of our starters, except for one,” Hendrix said. “We also get back Charity Steele, who missed last season with an ACL injury.
“I feel like this team has great chance to be very competitive in the All A and District Tournament and hopefully make some noise when it comes time for 13th Region Tournament,” she added. “Having our starting pitcher back, Jorja Carnes, is huge. She improved a lot as a junior and I’m expecting big things during her senior season. Having Allie Messer’s bat and her being able to help with the pitching duties will be a tremendous help.
“Chelsea Hendrickson will continue to be the leader in the outfield,” Hendrix continued. “She does a great job stepping up and making a play when we need out of an inning. Cambree Prewitt will be behind the plate again. She’s one of the most underrated catchers in the region, she does a great job. Getting Charity Steele back will be huge. She has a powerful bat and does a great job on defense. We started four freshmen last season, Julie Moore, Lauren Partin, Lily Henize, and Emma Burnette. They played a large part in our success last season. With another year under their belt, I’m expecting big things from them.”
One of Lynn Camp’s mane strengths is pitching, according to Hendrix.
“I am very fortunate to have three really good pitchers in our rotation — Jorja, Allie, and Julie,” she said. “Jorja will get most of the starts, with Allie and Julie being used in relief. They all three bring different pitching styles. Whoever our opponent is that night will determine who will take the mound.”
Like every season, Hendrix said one of her team’s goals is to win the district tournament.
“Pineville returns a very good team and Knox and Barbourville both have new coaches, so I’m sure they have improved,” she said. “Last season, we were able to advance to the Region Semifinals for the first in school history. This year our goal is to make it farther. Our number one goal is to win district.
“I feel like our schedule is pretty competitive and will prepare us for the postseason,” she added. “We are going to The Ripken Experience over Spring Break where we play some of the best competition that helps us prepare for the All A.”
With the abundance of talent she returns, Hendrix feels her team can compete with anyone in the region.
“I feel like we are in the top half of the region,” she admitted. “I feel like when we are playing to our ability, we can play with anyone in our region. North, South, and Corbin are always the team to beat.
“As a team, I feel like we need to improve defensively,” Hendrix added. “We have a team that I feel like is going to be pretty good offensively, we can’t make mistakes and errors that can cost us to lose some games. I feel like I have a perfect balance of senior leadership and young talent that will mesh well together. I’m excited to see how this group comes along as the season progresses. This is a pretty talented team, one of the best since I’ve been here.”
