VIDEO: Ashlyn Cooper Interview   

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the first part in a three-part series analyzing Carson-Newman softball's positions.  Today's feature breaks down the outfield  with assistance from sophomore outfielder Ashlyn Cooper. 

Carson-Newman's outfield features a bevy of new faces for 2017.  Coopers (Friendsville, Tenn.) is the lone returning player on the roster with starting experience after the graduation of Talisa Fiame. 

Peyton Bacon (Greeneville, Tenn.) saw limited action in the outfield last year.  She and Cooper join with junior transfer Alisa Walker (Knoxville, Tenn.) and freshmen Kennedy Richardson (Elizabethton, Tenn.), and Jordan Wertz (Waverly, Tenn.) to round out the outfield.

"It's presented some challenges, but I feel like we're working through it as a team," Cooper said of the influx of bodies in the outfield. "We have some good incoming freshman, and freshman  who are taking on leadership position.  That's exciting to see." 

Cooper appeared in 29 games with 19 starts for the Eagles, primarily as a designated player, but also as a starting outfielder.  Cooper had a .173 average.  She had nine hits with a double and a home run.  She drove in six runs on the season.  A patient batter, Cooper walked nine times in her 63 plate appearances.  She hit her lone home run against Clark Atlanta (3/6) and had her first career multi-hit performance against Coker (4/9).  

"It's different, but it's exciting to take that on and be a leader," Cooper said  of stepping into a leadership role so early in her career. "I think we have good chemistry.  That's probably our biggest strength.  We work well together, but we also want to grow and work hard."

Richardson makes her way to Mossy Creek from Elizabethton High School where she played for Ken Harden.  She was a two-sport athlete and also played volleyball.  On the diamond, Richardson hits .321 for the Cyclones.  She was an honorable mention all-conference selection as a designated player. 

Hailee Garrren, Walker and Wertz round out the newcomers. 

Peyton Bacon can add pop with a bat in the outfield too.  She didn't see a ton of playing time as a freshman with three appearances and one start.  However, as a senior in high school, Bacon hit .436 as a senior with 41 hits, 33 runs scored, 15 doubles and 30 runs batted in.  She reached base 47.7 percent of the time and touted a .702 slugging percentage.

"Top to bottom, we have to work on consistency," Cooper said. "Sometimes we lack that.  We have to make the play every time. That's something that's true of me, as well as our teammates."

Carson-Newman softball's position previews continue Wednesday with the infield and Kristen Toppel.