Ardrey Kell softball focused on 5th straight conference tourney title

The Ardrey Kell softball team lost two all-state players and two other starters from last year’s team.

Coach Bob Bove was ready for it.

“We have been grooming others for those positions already and we had a good influx of freshmen and sophomores over the last few years,” he said. “I think we’ll be able to step in a do what we’ve done in the past.”

It’s a short but successful past.

The Knights have made it to the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A state tournament every year since the team’s first season in 2007. In 2009, the program had its best year, going 22-5 and losing in the regional semifinals.

Ardrey Kell has won at least 19 games each of the past four years. The team has also won four straight conference tournament championships.

They expect to be on top again.

“I think we’ll win conference,” said Bove, who is in his fifth year as head coach. “I think there’s enough confidence on this team that during our learning period, which will be probably the first 10 games, we’re going to come together and gel and I think we’ll be strong enough to win it.”

The Knights graduated all-state second baseman Alexa Grauer and shortstop Taylor Freeman. They also lost catcher Jordan Hostetler.

“They definitely were key components of our team because they were our catcher, shortstop and second baseman, which is your middle infield right there,” said senior Sarah Thornburg.

A fourth starter, outfielder Shana Carter, graduated early.

The Knights still return talented players, including junior all-state center fielder Erin Powers and all-district junior first baseman Jessey Haasl. They also return Thornburg, one of two seniors on the team this year.

The players didn’t hesitate when asked about their strength this year.

“Hitting,” said Haasl. “We always have good hitting.”

Thornburg leads it off as a speedy slapper. Bove said she’s improved on her slapping ability, putting the ball down the baselines instead of up the middle.

“We think she’s going to be a catalyst like she has been in the past, getting on base and scoring for us,” said Bove.

Powers is the No. 3 hitter, the team’s best contact hitter. The UNC Charlotte commit hits the ball with power and has a knack and finding the gaps. Bove expects her to hit home runs this year.

Haasl led the team in home runs and doubles last year and will hit in the No. 4 spot.

Sophomore third baseman Amanda Franks is a big hitter at the No. 5 spot and junior catcher Miranda Pendergrass, who already hit a home run in the preseason, will bat sixth.

The only other senior on the team, shortstop Jordan Ewert, has improved her hitting in the offseason and will either hit second or seventh.

Sophomore Sterling Strickland returns on the mound for Ardrey Kell after starting as a freshman last year.

The Knights’ offseason schedule includes some of the area’s toughest teams, like defending 4A champ Porter Ridge and Concord Robinson, ranked No. 9 in the N.C. Softball Coaches Association 3A poll.

The Knights may lose a few games (the team started 8-8 last year before winning 11 straight) but the team gains experience for the post season.

“Some of those out of conference teams we play are really good teams,” said Powers. “Bove always, kind of, reassures us that we’re doing this so we can get better, so we can play those other teams and be successful.”

The Knights success during the past several years has also come from its offseason work.

Many of the players play for club teams during the summer. In the fall, the team has offseason workouts on the field. In the winter, when it’s too cold to be outside, they workout inside, focusing on speed, agility and strength.

When spring comes, they’re back outside working on the field until the season starts.

“We work the fundamentals all the time. I mean all the time,” said Bove. “And we stress it not only in throwing, but in hitting and fielding and everything.”

Bove is worried about his team’s defense since the wet weather has kept them off the infield for much of the preseason.

Both of Ardrey Kell’s preseason tournaments were canceled. The team doesn’t have much game experience together.

But at Ardrey Kell, softball is a year-round program, Bove said. They’ve been working together for months.

“I don’t think a lot of schools do that,” he said. “They can, but I don’t think they do.”