Kayley
Spring sports season is back!
After being nixed a year ago due to the onset of the pandemic, the Pendleton County Ladycats Fastpitch Softball team is back and on a mission to not only repeat the magic they produced in 2019, but ascend to even greater success.
Head coach Rob Coffey now oversees a program that has a clear target on its back. Pendleton County will not sneak up on anyone around the Commonwealth this season as they have been picked as the preseason favorite to repeat as 10th region champs with several outstanding players who can carry the squad on any given day.
“I’m very excited to get this season going,” Coach Coffey said. “This is a very talented team that has such high potential and their motivated to pick up right where they left off two years ago,” he added.
The Ladycats boast a talented roster full of experienced veterans and promising underclassmen that will make for difficult decisions for Coffey when it comes to filling out his lineup card.
“We have many established girls who have been huge contributors for the past few seasons, and I also have a few younger girls that are very talented. I utilize many players on my roster during most games and try to maximize every situation. One crucial part of our success this season will be everyone being on the same page and buying into our philosophy,” Coffey explained.
Among the key contributors to this season’s club will be sophomore pitcher Kayley Bruener. Shes now two years older, bigger and stronger since the last time she competed on the varsity level. But aside from the physical improvements, Coach Coffey is impressed with her evolution as a pitcher.
“She’s throwing around 62 right now, but the thing that excites me is the development of her complimentary pitches. Her offspeed stuff has improved so much. Shes just a complete player.”
Being counted on to generate offense will be the veteran quartet of Olivia Verst, Raegan Carlisle, Maddie Musk and Sydney Manor. These four have already created numerous memorable moments for the Ladycats and they’ll be expected to take it to the next level.
“You look at what Liv has done in her career, she’s been so consistent and she starts all of it for us at the top of the lineup. Raegan is such an all-around great hitter, she gets on base, drives runs in and is a clutch performer. After them you have Maddie who has such great power and Sydney who has grown so much as a hitter and become better at selecting what to attack at the plate.”
Coach Coffey also noted the talented crop of youth he possesses including Avery Himes, Reagan Anderson and Emma Whalen. He believes all of them will have opportunities to contribute to the team in different ways throughout the season.
Pendleton County has its work cut out for them during the regular season. You’ll be hard pressed to find many teams around the state with a more challenging schedule, but Coffey says it’s all part of the grand scheme to have his team ready for the big stage. Among the opponents on the schedule include state powerhouses Louisville Male, Ballard, and the top competition around the ninth and tenth region.
“I want people who follow this team to understand that we are probably going to take some bumps during the season, there are a lot of high caliber teams that we will face, but this is all about getting these girls ready to face the best of the best in this state. That’s who we are going to have to beat to get to where we want to go. These girls want that and I want it too. We are here to try win a state championship. I believe in the potential of this team and these players are hungry. They got a taste of success two years ago and they want more.”
Pendleton County will begin their season on March 29 at Simon Kenton and will host Conner at 5:30 p.m. on March 30.
Ladycat Fast Pitch Schedule
Date Opponent Location Time
3/29 Simon Kenton Away 5:45
3/30 Conner Home 5:30
4/2 George Rogers Clark Tournament TBA
4/8 Campbell Co Home 5:00
4/9 Lafayette Home 6:00
4/10 East Jessamine Dixie 11 a.m.
4/12 Nicholas Co home 6:00
4/13 Robertson Co away 5:30
4/14 Bourbon Co away 6:00
4/17 Male Elizabethtown 10 a.m.
4/17 Marshall Co. Elizabethtown 6:00
4/19 Highlands home 5:00
4/20 Brossart home 5:00
4/22 Nicholas Co away 6:00
4/23 Christian Co Buchanon Park 12 p.m.
4/23 South Warren Buchanon Park 8 p.m.
4/27 Harrison Co away 5:30
4/29 Robertson Co home 5:30
4/30 Campbell Co away 5:00
5/3 Williamstown home 5:30
5/7 Cooper home 6:00
5/8 Bath Boyle Co 1:00
5/8 Ashland Blazer Boyle Co 4:00
5/13 Ryle away 6:00
5/14 Boone Co home 7:00
5/18 Grant Co away 5:30
5/19 Villa Madonna home 6:00
5/21 Ballard away 7:00
5/24 Williamstown away 5:30
5/25 Harrison Co. home 5:30
5/26 Highlands away 5:30
5/28 Cooper away 6:00