HILLDALE SOFTBALL

Coach: DARREN RIDDLE

OUTLOOK

The goal of making the state tournament fell just short last year for the Hilldale Lady Hornet fast pitch team but coach Darren Riddle was upbeat about the season as he prepared for the 2025 season. “We had a good year. We won our district and beat Miami twice, who went on to the state tournament. I thought we deserved to host the super-regional, but the coach’s vote didn’t go our way, so we had to travel to play an always tough Tuttle team and fell short. We’ve lost four really good kids off that team, but we’ve got some young ones coming and some kids who have been sitting that now get their chance,” said the veteran coach. Leading the way and leading off in the lineup in 2025 will once again be senior second baseman Lilly Beverage who hit .360 last year. “Lilly is a great leadoff hitter who rarely strikes out, has good speed and a terrific on-base percentage (.429),” said Riddle. Returning at shortstop is senior Macie Mackey, a .355 hitter who can play other positions as well and was second on the team in RBIs last year with 31. Senior outfielder Addysion Sands is another returning part of the puzzle. “She really stepped up last year and swung the bat well with some power and had some clutch hits,” said Riddle.  Also returning to help the Hornets this fall will be senior Sarah Chapa who had the walk-off hit against Miami to clinch a district win and junior Charlee Medley who saved runs with her defensive play in the outfield last year. Back in the circle will be Finlee Allred who was 19-5 last year and has really carried the load for the Hornets the last two years according to Riddle. “We have three freshmen coming in that could make an impact for us in Avery Gardner, a left-hand first baseman who can hit with power, Kaylee Smith, a slapper and overall good hitter and Mackenzie Hannon who can play in the infield. Players that saw some action last year that will be pushing others for more time this year include senior Darian Diles who has a cannon for an arm will move from first base to catcher, Kabree Spradley and sophomore Madelyn Moore.”