Lady Cats 4-4 before spring break

 

 

By T. Wampler

JPI Sports

 

The Lady Cats defeated the Hart County Lady Raiders 8-0 early in the season on a Saturday afternoon. Coach Alex Massey continues to make strides in building the ECHS softball program and has been successful in the process she started.

The Lady Cats have been known for a long time around the state of Kentucky to have a strong softball program and when Massey became the head coach, she wanted to continue winning, but she also wanted to put her stamp on the program and build a family.

Massey had built both a family and a solid softball program. The Lady Cats have wins over Warren Central, Breckinridge County, Hart County, and a District 12 victory over Butler County. Their early season losses were to Clinton County, Franklin-Simpson, Warren East, and Ohio County.

In their win over the Lady Bears, three Lady Cats had 2 hits: Hayley Sanders, Emma Davis, and Brooklyn Carroll. Carroll had a 2B. Sanders had 2 RBIs and Davis added an RBI.

 

 

Four Lady Cats had a hit in that game including Lillie Webb, Emma Price, Jolee Vincent, and Shelby Sowders. Price’s hit was a 2B and she added an RBI.

Senior Ace in the circle, Julie Norris, went the distance. She allowed 7 hits, 1 earned run, no walks and 5 strikeouts. Norris is this year’s lone senior, but that senior is a key part of the success the Lady Cats have had since Massey took over ECHS softball. Norris can hit too. That part of Norris’s game has shown steady improvement since she arrived on the scene as a 7th grader in 2020.

 

 

Massey took over the program the next season, so the coach has seen the growth in the senior’s game. Norris has been a big-game pitcher for ECHS, and she will be a key factor this season in just how far the Lady Cats can make it in postseason play.

The team’s KHSAA roster also has 2 juniors, 7 sophomores, five 8th graders, and one 7th grader listed in 2025.

Last season ECHS had an overall record of 15 -14. The Lady Cats went 5 – 3 in the district while Massey and ECHS won the 12th District Championship and advanced to the Region 3 tourney.

ECHS was district runners-up in 2023 but won 2 games in the Region 3 Tourney.

Norris is not alone in the talent category or experience. Anyone who has followed Lady Cat softball knows the names of juniors Abigal Hogg and Jolee Vincent, and sophomore, Shelby Sowders. Mixing in with her veterans are several young and talented players that are already making their mark in ECHS softball. Price and Sanders are 8th graders that are making contributions to their success this season.

 

 

In their 8-0 shutout win over the Lady Raiders early in the season, Norris had 3 hits (3B) and 3 RBIs. Davis, Price, Vincent (2B), and Hogg each had 2 hits in the dominant victory. Webb, Sanders, and Tayla Wilhite each had a hit. Webb, Carroll, and Wilhite are sophomores. Norris pitched the complete game victory. Norris did not walk a batter, struck out 11, and only gave up 2 hits.

 

 

Coach Massey has also used the talents of 7th grader, Charly Beville and 8th grader, Emma Hight. Emberly Graham is another 8th grader that has seen action. Savanah Lyons (8th grader) and sophomores. Havanna Jurisich and Addie Childress are also helping the 2025 Lady Cats.

In ECHS’ win over Breckinridge, Sanders had 3 hits including a triple and an RBI. Norris had 2 hits with a 2B. Hogg also had 2 hits with a 2B and an RBI. Wilhite, Carroll (RBI), and Davis each added a hit. Graham and Davis each added an RBI. Price smacked a 3-run homer.

Norris picked up the win, allowing 3 earned runs on 6 hits with no walks and 11 strikeouts. Norris has increased her speed over her long high school career while maintaining precision control.

Expect great things as the season progresses for the 2025 Lady Cats. Coach Massey will have her team ready come tournament time.

 

Nickname: Lady Cats

Coach: Alex Jane Massey

Region: 3

District: 12

 

  2025 Edmonson County Softball Roster

#	Name	Position	Yr.	#	Name	Position	Yr.	#	Name	Position	Yr.
5	Charly Beville		7th	3	Abigal Hogg		Jr.	11	Shelby Sowders		So.
8	Brooklyn Carroll		So.	9	Havanna Jurisich		So.	24	Jolee Vincent		Jr.
13	Addie Childress		So.		Savanah Lyons		8th	20	Lillie Webb		So.
17	Emma Davis		So.	1	Julie Norris		Sr.	4	Tayla Wilhite		So.
2	Emberly Graham		8th	15	Emma Price		8th
12	Emma Hight		8th	7	Hayley Sanders		8th