VIDEO: Brooke Matyasovsky Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the final part in a three-part series breaking down Carson-Newman softball's positions for the 2024 season. This feature works through the infield with assistance from Brooke Matyasovsky.
It's probably a fair toss up what has been the more difficult thing for Carson-Newman's infield to overcome – the loss of All-SAC second baseman Carmen Holt to graduation, or getting time on the field with a foot of snow on the ground for much of January.
"It's been tough to get ready for this season because of the weather," Matyasovsky said. "We have prioritized pitch selection and getting swings. We're all trying to throw on the side and get ground balls where we can, but there's only so much you can do when the weather doesn't agree."
Holt at least didn't go far. The lone starter lost from last season, Holt joined head coach Michael Graves staff as a graduate assistant coach.
Elsewhere, Carson-Newman's infield is intact. Macauley Bailey and Macey Hughes split time at first last year while also player other positions (we also covered their work in the battery preview and the outfielder preview), while Brooke Matyasovsky and Hayden Dye have started a combined 278 career games on the left side of the infield at third, and short, respectively.
"Its amazing having this level of depth," Matyasovsky said. "We have trust and confidence in one another. That's especially true for Hayden and I on the left side of the infield. It's a huge thing for us."
Dye started sluggishly for her sophomore campaign. On Feb. 22, she was hitting just .059. However, the Powell product burst forth from her slump to hit .341 for the month of March and .319 in April. She wrapped up the season hitting .264 with three doubles, two triples and three home runs while driving in 18. Dye tallied an eight-game hitting streak - the second longest of her career - heading into C-N's final game in the regional tournament. She was responsible for 10 multi-hit efforts and a trio of multi-RBI games. A SAC All-Tournament team member, Dye hit .529 for the tournament.
The sweet-swinging Matyasovksy finished second on the team in home runs with 10 and third in RBI with 42. She stroked an even .300 for the year with 11 doubles and the 10 dingers. Nearly half her 45 hits on the season were for extra bases. She accounted for 10 multi-hit games and 12 multi-RBI efforts, including four-RBI days against Catawba (March 11) and Lincoln Memorial (March 29).
"The focus for me really has been pitch selection and working on swings," Matyasovsky said. "I had a good year last year, but not the best year. I've put in work with my hitting coach and getting reps with swings."
At second base, Mary Vandergriff can return to the original position at which she started her career while also contributing in right. Skylar Jacob will also see time at second after starting two games at short last year. She collected her first career hit in her second career start in the Southeast Regional against Francis Marion (May 12). She played error-free at short with a 1.000 fielding percentage on 11 total chances.
Two freshman look to make an impact in the infield in Oklahoma native Riley Sharp and Virginia native Wynter Morris.
"Riley and Wynter are both so ready to learn. They want to be the best player on the field, which is difficult because we have so many returners. They've done well at asking questions and working hard. If someone was on the sideline, they would think those two have already played collegiate softball."
A four-time team MVP at Western Abermarle for coch Eric Keshin, Morris has hit no worse than .546 in her high school career. As a junior, she led her district in home runs, RBI and batting average. She has earned all-district honors every year of her career, including as an eighth grader.
A four-year varsity starter, Sharp has helped Southmoore High School to three Oklahoma 6A state titles. She hit .487 and slugged .706 while smacking 18 doubles and driving in 36 runs as a junior. Sharp is a three-time all-district selection. As a sophomore she hit a walkoff double to propel the Sabercats to a state title. As a senior she earned All-State honor and was her district's offensive player of the year.
Carson-Newman opens the season Friday at Eckerd. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network is available at cneagles.com/live.
