VIDEO: Hayley Burnette Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - This is the final part in a four-part series breaking down Carson-Newman's 2015 softball team position by position. Today, Hayley Burnette (Rossville, Ga.) analyzes the Eagles' catchers.
Burnette is the lone returner for the Eagles at the backstop for 2015. However, do-it-all utility player Elayna Siebert (Knoxville, Tenn.) will provide depth at the position, as will Charles D. Owen High School-product Hannah Williams (Black Mountain, N.C.).
"I think we're really working on pushing one another," Burnette said. "I know every day that Elayna and Hannah make me better. I think we have really good communication both with one another and with all of our pitchers."
Burnette, a more defensive-minded catcher, gunned down 40 percent of the runners who tried to steal on her last season. Burnette has had to focus on increased communication with the Eagles' infielders after Carson-Newman lost more than 500 combined starts at third, short and first.
She said the presence of two stout freshman pitchers (Danielle Kranz and Lindsay Dean) as well as an experienced third baseman in Brooke Ramsey has made the transition with communication a bit easier.
"With the infield, Brooke brought communication with her," Burnette said. "It didn't take much to get used to them because their good pitchers. It helps a lot that we were able to get on the same page quickly."
Burnette has eyed a couple things to build on individually leading in to her junior year.
"I've worked with quickness with blocking and with run downs," Burnette said. "I've also tried to work on my arm strength."
Carson-Newman opens its 30th year on the softball diamond at Belmont Abbey Feb. 4.
