By Mike London
mike.london@salisburypost.com

Third in a series of reports on softball teams …

SALISBURY — Softball coach Leah Herndon, like every Salisbury coach who came before her, has her work cut out.

But she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s true that we don’t get that natural funnel of travel ball players that some of the county schools do,” said Herndon, a former Catawba College outfielder. “But I think I’d rather be here. Teaching the game is fun. We’re going to have some fun out here. We’re going to build good people first — and then good softball players.”

While Salisbury has ruled the Central Carolina Conference in a lot of sports. softball championships always have been out of reach.

But the Hornets can be competitive. They were 7-5 in the seven-team 1A/2A CCC in 2023 and finished in fourth place. They swept Thomasville, Lexington and North Rowan and split with second-place East Davidson. The season ended with a 4-3 tournament loss to CCC champ West Davidson, so the Hornets weren’t that far away.

Herndon is optimistic. Every key player is back, and the Hornets have added some new faces.

“We’ve got 18 on the roster, the most since I’ve been as Salisbury,” said Huggins, who served as an assistant coach before taking the reins last season. “I can’t imagine a sweeter, more ready-to-learn group of girls, but only about half of them have softball experience. Some of them are really good athletes, but they’re still learning the rules.”

Leading the returners is Furman recruit Katie Peeler. She wields a powerful bat and hit .564 last season with eight homers, five triples, 31 runs and 31 RBIs. Peeler most likely will be a college outfielder, but the Hornets need her to pitch, so she’s usually in the circle. When she’s on, she’ll get plenty of strikeouts, and the Hornets will have a good chance.

“Katie has insane power and is one of the most explosive athletes in the school,” Herndon said. “She’s had a lot of growth. She’s a senior now and she knows she can’t let it affect her emotions when we don’t make a play behind her.”

Peeler’s younger sister, Allie, batted .364 with 16 RBIs as a freshman last season. She can play catcher or shortstop.

Ashley Yang is an experienced player who batted .458 with 19 RBIs and scored 33 runs. Yang is versatile and will be used at shortstop, catcher and as the Hornets’ second pitcher.

“She’s 110 percent at all times and she’s really helpful working with our young players,” Herndon said. “She’s a really good leader who can play anywhere we need her.”

First baseman Jayla Robertson had four hits and knocked in three runs on opening day, so Herndon is expecting a big season out of her.

Center fielder Addie Myers is reliable defensively and Herndon called her one of the most improved Hornets.

Second baseman Tja’Lyza Walker is a motivator, who scored nine runs last season.

Also back is Tijah Sims, who had two doubles and a triple and drove in eight runs in 2023.

Herndon has high hopes for Emma Blackwell, a good athlete who transferred from Wilmington, and for Taliyah McCombs, a senior who helped the basketball team but is playing softball for the first time.

The roster also includes Layla Miller, Essence Cherry, Josie Fesperman, Makayla Hayes, Dondrea Green, Jasmine Murray, Teasia Ellis, Janiya Formond and Emma Starkweather.

Cherry, Green, Murray, Ellis and Formond saw action in the opener.

Assisting Herndon are Scott Cozart, who was head coach of the Hornets for four seasons; Steve Yang, the famed Rowan Little League softball coach, and Summer Howerton, who pitched at Catawba.

“She’s got a lot of pitching insights and can really us,” Herndon said.

While the only pre-spring break game was a wild, 17-12, four-error loss to Walkertown, the Hornets did swing the bats. Katie Peeler had a double and a triple. So did Robertson.

“We’re going to be OK,” Herndon said. “Hopefully, a top three team in our league.”

Salisbury starts CCC play today with a doubleheader against Thomasville.

 

Salisbury softball

Coach: Leah Huggins Herndon (2nd season, 10-12)

Top returners:Katie Peeler, Ashley Yang, Allie Peeler, Jayla Robertson

2023 record: 10-12, 7-5 CCC, 4th place, did not make playoffs

2024 record: 0-1