Lady Rams Softball Looks to Improve in 2024
Photos provided by Rampage student photographer Nathan LePere.
The Bluefield University Lady Rams softball team is optimistic about the 2024 season and the prospects of improving upon last year’s 6-32 overall record.
The Lady Rams are just six games into the 2024 season (as of March 8) under new head coach Maggie White, and they have already won half as many games as last year with a 3-3 record, including wins over cross-town rival Bluefield State University and a conference win over Tennessee Wesleyan University. Coach White attributes the early success to junior Hallie Cox and sophomores Ali Glover, Gianna Sloan-Lebron and Lexie McDuffie, returning players that she says will be key to the Lady Rams success in 2024.
“Hallie (a pitcher) threw the bulk of the innings last year and had a strong season,” Coach White said. “As a junior this year, we expect her to be a leader on the mound and keep us in games where our offense and defense have a chance to win.”
Glover, another pitcher, battled injuries last year, but has come back strong and will be another big presence on the mound for the Lady Rams. Sloan-Lebron will be key in a variety of roles for the team.
“We look for Gianna to contribute significantly on offense and be versatile on defense for us as a catcher and a shortstop,” Coach White said.
McDuffie, a pitcher and an outfielder, will be a big hitter, as well, for the Lady Rams, White said. She said other returning players should contribute significantly to the success of the team, including senior outfielder Caitlin Zagas, junior outfielder Madison Blankenship, junior infielder Jenna Atwell, junior outfielder and pitcher MacKenzie Franklin, sophomore outfielder Kerstin Buchanan, sophomore infielder Chara Wootten, and senior utility player Chloe Hicks.
“This year’s team has been very fun to coach so far,” Coach White said. “I don’t have to tell them to work hard or be loud and energetic during practices. It’s clear they are excited to be on the field and are enjoying learning more about the game every day.”
Coach White said the team will also depend on a number of new players to contribute to the team’s success, including freshman outfielders Kaylee Hughes and Bre Ellett.
“We expect big things from Kaylee and Bre,” Coach White said. “Both are outfielders who have been pitchers in the past. We may look to them to throw some innings, but expect strong offense and defense from them both.”
She also said newcomers Kenidy Harris, Hannah Hayes and Brooklynn Schwartz should see considerable playing time early as freshmen, and newcomers Alayshia Griffith, Carrington Sasser and Camryn Dilla will bring added depth to the team.
“Going into the season, I feel the door is open for us to reach great heights and surprise a lot of teams,” Coach White said. “We have the pieces for success. The key will be figuring out how to put them all together on game days and be the best version of Rams softball we can be.”
Coach White said her immediate goal for 2024 is to become “a better team each day we take the field.” She said she also wants the team to have a winning season and qualify for the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) post-season tournament, which requires that they finish in the top eight of the leauge that has 15 teams.
“I believe our team is up for these challenges,” she said, “and we look forward to having a great 2024 season.”
But, she said, success is not only about wins and losses. She said above all she wants her players to have fun and enjoy the season.
“We always talk about how softball should be the best part of the day because it is, after all, a game,” Coach White said. “We work hard, but my goal is for them to always enjoy coming to practice and to be ready to compete on game day.”