2020 Preseason
1. Wolfe County (26-12) – For the first time in 1016sports’ history, a preseason No. 1 team is technically not from either the 10th or 16th Region. Coach Benny Campbell’s Lady Wolves made their first appearance in the state tournament last season and return 12-of-13 players, including all nine starters. Headlining that group will be Miss Softball candidate senior shortstop/outfielder Hailey Smith (.603 batting average, 63 runs, 37 RBI, seven home runs and 35 stolen bases). Smith, who could also pitch if necessary, is one of three Wolfe County players on the 1016sports’ “Terrific 26 to Watch” list. Junior second baseman/pitcher Nellee Lumpkins (.479 batting average, 45 RBI) and senior outfielder Kallie Brown (.455 batting average, 52 RBI, four home runs, 21-for-21 in stolen bases) also provide significant offensive punch. Batting is the team’s strength. It hit .418 last spring, the second-best mark in the state, and also finished second in total hits with 438. The squad scored 305 times last season for an average of 8.3 per game, with the former mark placing 10th in the state. Rounding out its 2019 team totals, the squad collected 284 RBI, 76 doubles, 23 triples, 16 home runs and stole 90 bases. Individually, Lady Wolves appeared eight times on state top-25 lists, highlighted by Smith finishing first in hits (79), second in runs, and 11th in batting average, doubles (17) and stolen bases. In addition, Brown’s 52 RBI was the KHSAA’s 14th-best total. Of the nine batters who played in nearly every game, five hit above .400 and none batted below .320. Junior third baseman Lauryn Terrill (.475 batting average, 38 runs, 33 RBI, 16 extra-base hits), sophomore right fielder Macy Gullett (.427 batting average, 26 RBI), freshman catcher Sarah Smith (.388 batting average, 36 RBI, 14 stolen bases), junior left fielder Camey Creech (.333 batting average) and senior first baseman Ellie Halsey (.320 batting average, 26 RBI) round out the starters. Softball games are won in the circle and Wolfe has a gem at that spot in junior Carly Creech (20-9 record, 3.08 ERA, 100 strikeouts, 60 walks). Although not overpowering, Creech locates well. The 2019 regional MVP, she pitched for the 14th Region Futures squad in the 13th-16th regional all-star series last summer. The Lady Wolves rolled through last year’s 14th Region Tournament, winning all three of their games by the run rule and out-scoring those combined opponents 32-5. Coach Campbell’s club has won at least 19 games in each of the last four years and last had a losing record in 2012. The 2020 team lacks depth, so an injury could derail a repeat performance. Sixteen players are on this year’s roster with five middle schoolers bolstering the lineup. A young group overall, Wolfe has just three seniors so it should continue to be a force in the years to come. The team can hit, run and score with the best in the state, but if its pitching and defense are not on target it is vulnerable. Upstart Pendleton County also returns nearly its entire 2019 roster from a first-time state quarterfinal appearance and leads the contenders for the area’s top spot. There are as many as 11 teams which should factor in the mix in another year when the 1016sports’ group figures to be among the state’s elite.
2. Pendleton County (26-15)
3. Bourbon County (28-6)
4. Raceland (28-12)
5. Nicholas County (22-13)
6. Lewis County (22-11)
7. East Carter (28-10)
8. Harrison County (22-13)
9. Boyd County (25-12)
10. Rowan County (26-11)
Also considered (in order): Ashland Blazer (25-12), Fleming County (13-15), Montgomery County (13-24), West Carter (12-12), Scott (8-18), Russell (15-18), Elliott County (15-20), George Rogers Clark (14-19), Bishop Brossart (11-19), Campbell County (25-4), Bracken County (12-13).
Just missed: Morgan County (14-20), Bath County (22-11), Paris (6-30).
2019 FINAL
1. Bourbon County (28-6)
2. Ashland Blazer (25-12)
3. Campbell County (25-4)
4. Rowan County (26-11)
5. Raceland (28-12)
6. Boyd County (25-12)
7. East Carter (28-10)
8. Pendleton County (26-15)
9. Wolfe County (26-12)
10. Fleming County (13-15)
Also considered (in order): Lewis County (21-11), Russell (15-18), Harrison County (22-13), Greenup County (8-18), Nicholas County (22-13), George Rogers Clark (14-19), Bath County (22-11), West Carter (12-12), Scott (8-18).
1. Wolfe County (26-12) – For the first time in 1016sports’ history, a preseason No. 1 team is technically not from either the 10th or 16th Region. Coach Benny Campbell’s Lady Wolves made their first appearance in the state tournament last season and return 12-of-13 players, including all nine starters. Headlining that group will be Miss Softball candidate senior shortstop/outfielder Hailey Smith (.603 batting average, 63 runs, 37 RBI, seven home runs and 35 stolen bases). Smith, who could also pitch if necessary, is one of three Wolfe County players on the 1016sports’ “Terrific 26 to Watch” list. Junior second baseman/pitcher Nellee Lumpkins (.479 batting average, 45 RBI) and senior outfielder Kallie Brown (.455 batting average, 52 RBI, four home runs, 21-for-21 in stolen bases) also provide significant offensive punch. Batting is the team’s strength. It hit .418 last spring, the second-best mark in the state, and also finished second in total hits with 438. The squad scored 305 times last season for an average of 8.3 per game, with the former mark placing 10th in the state. Rounding out its 2019 team totals, the squad collected 284 RBI, 76 doubles, 23 triples, 16 home runs and stole 90 bases. Individually, Lady Wolves appeared eight times on state top-25 lists, highlighted by Smith finishing first in hits (79), second in runs, and 11th in batting average, doubles (17) and stolen bases. In addition, Brown’s 52 RBI was the KHSAA’s 14th-best total. Of the nine batters who played in nearly every game, five hit above .400 and none batted below .320. Junior third baseman Lauryn Terrill (.475 batting average, 38 runs, 33 RBI, 16 extra-base hits), sophomore right fielder Macy Gullett (.427 batting average, 26 RBI), freshman catcher Sarah Smith (.388 batting average, 36 RBI, 14 stolen bases), junior left fielder Camey Creech (.333 batting average) and senior first baseman Ellie Halsey (.320 batting average, 26 RBI) round out the starters. Softball games are won in the circle and Wolfe has a gem at that spot in junior Carly Creech (20-9 record, 3.08 ERA, 100 strikeouts, 60 walks). Although not overpowering, Creech locates well. The 2019 regional MVP, she pitched for the 14th Region Futures squad in the 13th-16th regional all-star series last summer. The Lady Wolves rolled through last year’s 14th Region Tournament, winning all three of their games by the run rule and out-scoring those combined opponents 32-5. Coach Campbell’s club has won at least 19 games in each of the last four years and last had a losing record in 2012. The 2020 team lacks depth, so an injury could derail a repeat performance. Sixteen players are on this year’s roster with five middle schoolers bolstering the lineup. A young group overall, Wolfe has just three seniors so it should continue to be a force in the years to come. The team can hit, run and score with the best in the state, but if its pitching and defense are not on target it is vulnerable. Upstart Pendleton County also returns nearly its entire 2019 roster from a first-time state quarterfinal appearance and leads the contenders for the area’s top spot. There are as many as 11 teams which should factor in the mix in another year when the 1016sports’ group figures to be among the state’s elite.
2. Pendleton County (26-15)
3. Bourbon County (28-6)
4. Raceland (28-12)
5. Nicholas County (22-13)
6. Lewis County (22-11)
7. East Carter (28-10)
8. Harrison County (22-13)
9. Boyd County (25-12)
10. Rowan County (26-11)
Also considered (in order): Ashland Blazer (25-12), Fleming County (13-15), Montgomery County (13-24), West Carter (12-12), Scott (8-18), Russell (15-18), Elliott County (15-20), George Rogers Clark (14-19), Bishop Brossart (11-19), Campbell County (25-4), Bracken County (12-13).
Just missed: Morgan County (14-20), Bath County (22-11), Paris (6-30).
2019 FINAL
1. Bourbon County (28-6)
2. Ashland Blazer (25-12)
3. Campbell County (25-4)
4. Rowan County (26-11)
5. Raceland (28-12)
6. Boyd County (25-12)
7. East Carter (28-10)
8. Pendleton County (26-15)
9. Wolfe County (26-12)
10. Fleming County (13-15)
Also considered (in order): Lewis County (21-11), Russell (15-18), Harrison County (22-13), Greenup County (8-18), Nicholas County (22-13), George Rogers Clark (14-19), Bath County (22-11), West Carter (12-12), Scott (8-18).