VIDEO: Kennady Warder Interview 

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - This is the final part in a three-part series breaking down Carson-Newman softball's positions for the 2023 season. This feature works through the battery with assistance from Kennady Warder.

"I've worked with some old hitting coaches and put a ton of work in," Warder said. "It's been preparing to make mental corrections so that I can make those little corrections quicker. That was something that I struggled with at times last year. I want to be able to flip that switch on and off and have that be a big difference for me." 

Warder appeared in 39 games with 30 starts at catcher for C-N.  She hit .248 with five doubles, two triples and two home runs. Carson-Newman was 10-0 when Warder scored a run.  She had a four-hit day against Erskine (2/25). She drove in a career-best four runs against North Greenville (3/2).  Warder caught 10 runners stealing on the year. 

Warder is joined behind the plate by freshman Macauley Bailey. 

"She's outgoing and a hard worker," Warder said. "She wants to learn everything, which is awesome.  She's not hesitant to ask what she can do to improve.  It's cool to have someone who is eager to learn what to do."

A four-time all-district and all-state selection for Ken Crook at Station Camp High School, Bailey has slugged 123 home runs lifetime in her career.  She earned two all-state tournament honors in her high school career and took the Bison to a district title in 2021.

Gone are pitchers Sara King and Morgen Baker-Celis, but the Eagles return experience between NicKolette Ferguson and Syerra Rogers.

Ferguson went 3-1 in the circle. She appeared in 12 games with two starts.  In 29.0 innings of work, she walked six and struck out 14.  She whiffed five against Erskine (2/25) in a season-long, five-inning relief outing. 

In the circle, Rogers was 9-6 with a 4.31 ERA.  While prone to walk batters - she had 92 free passes on the year - opponents just hit .208 off her, the second lowest batting average against for a single season in school history.  Rogers was named SAC Pitcher of the Week on March 22.  Rogers was Carson-Newman's first Pitcher of the Week honoree this season, and the program's first since Allison Rager was recognized on April 8, 2019 after firing a no-hitter against Newberry. Rogers is the first freshman pitcher to receive the award since Lacie Rinus was recognized three times during her freshman year in 2017.

"She's worked with her pitching coach and is making sure she is keeping it fun and simple," Warder said. "When she hits her spots, she is untouchable."

Carson-Newman adds in freshman hurlers Rylee Gattis and Riley Sikes. 

"They definitely have differences in their pitches," Warder said. "They certainly have a ton of movement in their pitches, one east-west and one north-south. I think they both have the potential to be game-changers in the circle for us this season."

As a junior at Alexandria, Gattis tallied a 29-8 record with 324 strikeouts and a 1.257 ERA and helped the Cubs to a 5A Final Four appearance at the state tournament.  At the plate, she hit .493.  She was an ASWA 5A All-State first team selection as a junior as well as the ASWA All-State 5A Pitcher of the Year and Player of the Year.  She also garnered pitcher of the year honors for Calhoun County.  In her time at Alexandria, she has taken the Cubs to a Calhoun County tournament title, a 5A Area 11 title and the 5A Regional Championship.

Sikes had 192 strikeouts in 18 games as a junior in 2021.  In her fall travel ball season, she hit .391 while working 56.0 innings in the circle with a 5-0 record and 56 strikeouts.

Carson-Newman softball opens the season Wednesday at noon against Concord in the Vickee Kazee-Hollifield Softball Complex. Coverage will be available on the Eagle Sports Network at cneagles.com/live and with a video stream through FloSports.