VIDEO: Emily Harris Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - This is the second part in a three-part series breaking down Carson-Newman softball's positions for the 2022 season.  This part features the infield with the assistance of Emily Harris. 

While Carson-Newman loses grad student Katie Eakes at first, two-year starter Keeley Quillen at second and all-SAC performer Shannon Smith at third, Carson-Newman's infield is not without experience. 

Part of that comes from Young Harris grad transfer Emily Harris, and the other from shortstop Leah Sohm (Knoxville, Tenn.) who has elected to utilize her bonus CoVID-provided year of eligibility with 137 career starts under her belt at short. 

Harris started 188 games in her career at Young Harris while hitting .374. 

"I just want to stick with what I'm good at," Harris said. "I don't want to try to change my game. I'm at my best when I'm confident in myself."

She tallied 249 career hits with 22 doubles and 69 career RBI.  She was a three-time All-Peach Belt Conference selection and earned All-America honors from the NFCA as a freshman.  She was a finalist for the NFCA/Schutt Sports Division II National Freshman of the Year in 2018.  She twice appeared on the NFCA's National Player of the Year Watch List.

Harris and Sohm should form a defensive black hole in the middle of Carson-Newman's infield. 

"We both have great range," Harris said. "I think one of the best things is our quick releases. I really do expect us to turn a lot of double plays because we get the ball and get rid of it quick."

Sohm wrapped up all-league laurels for the first time in her career. The lefty slapper hit .398 for the year with her second and third career triples.  Arguably the fastest player in the conference. Sohm was second in the league with 17 stolen bases in 19 attempts.  A multi-hit machine, Sohm had 11 such days on the year including a quartet of four-hit days. 

She tied a school record against Limestone (March 10) when she scored five runs in game two against the Saints. She has only made eight errors at short, tied for the second fewest in the league among short stops.   Sohm was named to the South Atlantic Conference's All-Tournament team.

The Eagles intend to turn to a freshman at third base in Powell product Hayden Dye. 

She produced big offensive numbers in her first two high school seasons.  She hit .458 with 15 doubles, 10 home runs and 45 RBI before hitting .536 with 21 doubles, four triples and 64 RBI as a sophomore. 

"Hayden is obviously young, but she swings the bat better than anyone I've seen swing it," Harris said. "That's in the cages and on the field.  She is a great hitter and she's getting good at third every day."

She was an all-district choice as a freshman as she led all freshmen in the state of Tennessee that year in dingers.  She helped Powell to a state title in 2018.  

Fellow Powell grad Haley Schultz and converted outfielder Macey Hughes give the Eagles options at first base. 

"Macey is a great fielder," Harris said. "You can put her anywhere and she's going to succeed.  She's always hitting. So you know she's going to be successful no matter where you put her on the field or in the lineup.  

Schultz started 11 games while appearing in 18 games. She hit .268 with five of her 11 knocks going for extra bases (four doubles, one triple).  Schultz drove in six runs and scored nine while hitting .268.  She played error free as a reserve first baseman.  Schultz had a trio of multi-hit games and her first career multi-RBI effort when she drove in two against Bluefield State (3/21). 

Carmen Holt (Lawrenceburg, Ky.), Kylan Dickerson (Grand Junction, Colo.), Rachel Kay (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Addison Lowe (Sweetwater, Tenn.) all provide veteran experience, while Mari Robbins (Sweetwater, Tenn.) can also contribute as a freshman. 

Carson-Newman softball's position previews wrap up Wednesday with the battery.