VIDEO: Taylor Scott Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the final part in a three-part series breaking down all of Carson-Newman softball's positions for 2020. Taylor Scott aids in the analysis of the Eagles' infield.
Carson-Newman's infield for 2020 is half veteran, half newcomer for the year. Scott (Huntington, W.Va.) and Leah Sohm (Knoxville, Tenn.) return at first and short, respectively, while Carson-Newman will have to replace Ashtyn Patterson at third and will be breaking in a new second baseman. Those appear to be Shannon Smith (Channahon, Ill.) and Keely Quillen (Gate City, Va.), respectively.
In an up and down junior campaign, Scott finished the year strong. She hit .305 over the final 15 games of the season. Scott finished the year hitting .222. She tallied seven doubles and two dingers. The two home runs came in back-to-back at bats against Newberry (4/22). She drove in a career-best five that day, tied for the ninth most single-game RBI in school history. Scott picked up five multi-hit efforts and a trio of multi-RBI games.
"I've been working on my mental game to be more mentally tough," Scott said. "I've got to swing at my pitches to better myself. I've got more confidence in my abilities and putting myself in good positions."
Sohm finished her sophomore year third on the team in batting average. She hit .330 for the year. A lefty slapper, she poked two doubles and drove in six. From March 30 through April 10, she tallied a six-game hitting streak that brought her average up 70 points. She collected a quartet of multi-hit efforts in that span.
Sohm started all 41 games for the Eagles at shortstop. She produced 10 multi-hit efforts and drove in two for the first time in her career against both Tusculum (4/2) and Anderson (5/9) in the regional tournament. Sohm led the team in stolen bases with six swipes in seven attempts.
"She's worked a lot on her hitting and staying in the box," Scott said. "She's the most competitive player we have. She's never giving less than 100 percent. Speed never goes in a slump so she can be lethal at the plate."
Quillen makes the move to Mossy Creek after two years at Walters State. She wrapped up her sophomore seatn with the Senators toting a .426 batting average with 14 home runs and 43 RBI. She led the TCCAA in home runs and slugging percentage. She was top 10 in the league in all offensive categories en route to first-team all-conference honors. Quillen ranked 59th on FloSoftball's "JUCO Hot 100 sophomores" list.
"Keely had a ton of experience from Walters State." Scott said. "It's nice bringing in experience even though she's new, she's like a veteran player."
Smith hit .380 as a junior for coach Jay Biesterfield at Providence Catholic. She was named all-conference and all-area as a junior. A two-sport athlete, she also played volleyball, earning all-conference honors as a senior for the Celtics.
Madelyn Gillett (Howell, Mich.) could see time at third, as well as in the outfield or as a designated player. An NFCA High School All-American, Gillett has the potential to have one of the most potent bats for the Eagles. Gillett helped Howell High School to back-to-back district and conference championships while earning a region title and a fourth place finish in the Michigan state tournament as a junior. She holds the Howell High School records for doubles and RBI in a single season with 22 and 65, respectively, set her sophomore year. She hit .511 that season. A three-sport athlete, she also played volleyball and basketball.
Carmen Holt returns after appearing in two games last season for the Eagles and provides depth at both third and second for C-N.
At short, Mary Vandergriff (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.) will back up Sohm. A three-time all-district selection for former Carson-Newman Eagle Lisa Rogers Gray at Chattanooga Christian School, Vandergriff hit .434 with four home runs, 24 RBI and 44 runs scored for the Chargers as a junior. She helped the Chargers to a state tournament berth and a fourth place finish at the AA state tournament as a junior.
At second, Julianna Savone (Palm Coast, Fla.) is the freshman who stands poised to push Quillen. Savone hit .323 for her career for coach Meghan Bainbridge at Flagler Palm Coast. Her career on-base percentage sits at .536. She was her team's Green Glove award winner and team MVP. In addition to softball, Savone was a competitive weightlifter for the Bulldogs. She helped FPCHS to a fourth place finish at the state championship while she finished in fourth at districts.
Finally, Haley Schultz (Powell, Tenn.) will be behind Scott. As a junior with the Powell Panthers, Schultz hit north of .400 with double digit home runs for coach Jeff Inman. She was an all-district, all-district tournament and all-Prep Xtra selection. She helped the Panthers to a region title and a state-runner up bid as a sophomore before helping Powell to a state title as a junior.
Carson-Newman gets its season underway Feb. 3 against Converse.
