By Mike London

Salisbury Post

SALISBURY — Ashley Yang went to the plate 22 times in Salisbury’s first five softball games, pounded seven extra-base hits, including two inside-the-park homers and one out-of-the-yard homer, and scored 16 runs.

Yes, 16 runs in 22 plate appearances.

There’s no doubt that Salisbury stars Yang and Allie Peeler are going to put up super statistical seasons in the Central Carolina Conference. The Hornets could win their share in the CCC, although it may be a challenge to equal last season’s level of success. The Hornets had a winning season (12-10) in 2024 and finished third in the CCC with a 9-3 record.

“We graduated an outstanding player in Katie Peeler,” said Salisbury’s third-year head coach Leah Huggins Herndon, who starred at Catawba College not long ago. “Players like Katie don’t come along every day. She not only was a tremendous hitter, she did most of our pitching. We’re going to win some games this season, but it’s important for us not to get too caught up in the numbers of wins and losses. The main goal for us has to be improvement. We want to make sure that we’re getting better every day. We’re going to have something specific to focus on getting better at, at every practice. If we can carry over what we work on in practice to the games, that’s a win in my book.”

Katie Peeler was the CCC Player of the Year, the first one this century for Salisbury softball. She’s good. She’s been a starting outfielder for Furman University as a freshman since opening day.

With Katie Peeler in Greenville, S.C., that leaves the pitching chores up to Yang. She’ll give it all she has in the circle, but in a perfect world, she’d be free to play shortstop. Catcher Allie Peeler, Katie’s younger sister, is the other half of the SHS battery and is a talented athlete. She has a homer and two triples.

Yang and Allie Peeler are the 1 and 2 hitters in the lineup to maximize their number of at-bats. Both batted over .600 and posted OBPs north of .700 as the Hornets started the season 3-2. Yang and Allie Peeler are both going to be on base almost all the time with hits or walks, so the No. 3 hitter has a chance to lead the county in RBIs. First baseman Addie Myers is in that key role. She’s done well so far with three doubles and eight RBIs.

“Allie is a third-year player for us and a good hitter,” Herndon said. “She’s moved from center field to first base.”

Third baseman Tijah Sims is the cleanup batter, another stout stick who often provides two hits.

“She swings hard and she hits it hard,” Herndon said.

Salisbury also has two helpful players in the middle infield. Layla Miller has been on base a ton in the early going, as she’s shown a knack for drawing walks and getting hit by pitches. Dasmine Ambers is a young player coming off a torn ACL, but she’s one of the team’s best athletes. Herndon has alternated them at second base and shortstop in the early going.

The outfield is less settled, especially with Myers moving to the infield. Teasia Ellis earned a starting role last season and is expected to anchor that group, along with Emma Blackwell, who already has four steals. The Hornets have taken a look at a lot of right fielders so far, so that position may be handled by committee. Jasmine Murray, Kyndell Edwards, Micah Lightfoot and Allison Jones are among the candidates for right field and DP.

Tatiana McQueen, Candice Vindel, Kyona Watson, Allison Lazo-Marquina, Josie Fesperman and Ambrielle Keith will all play a role in Salisbury’s season.

Salisbury has had some ups and downs. The roughest down was a 16-2 loss at Wheatmore, but the Hornets played much better in losing the rematch 17-10.

“They put a seven-spot on us in the first inning the first time we played them,” Herndon said. “I told the girls we couldn’t let that happen again. The second time they got four in the first inning. That’s not great, but four was better than seven, so the girls did what I asked. We played a competitive game in the rematch. We had the lead going to the sixth inning.”

The Hornets will celebrate little things, like when Lightfoot, a freshman, got her first hit in the second Wheatmore game.

“We’re getting better at making contact, better at making the defense make a play instead of striking out,” Herndon said. “And we’re making more of the routine plays in the field. As long as we keep improving, well, that’s all I can ask.”