Ashton Glance lobs the ball to second base during softball practice for Tuscola on Thursday.
WAYNESVILLE – No mistaking it, Tuesday’s home win over Pisgah was a huge deal.
But if Tuscola players have their way, it won’t be the highlight of their season.
The Mountaineers (7-1, 4-0) are one of the most surprising teams in Western North Carolina softball this spring. They’ve already won three times as many games as last year’s 2-17 team.
Tuscola had lost 15 straight games to Pisgah before turning the tide with Tuesday’s 5-4 victory in extra innings. They are currently in sole possession of first place in the WNC Athletic Conference.
“We only lost one senior from last year’s team and we’ve built up from that,” Mountaineers coach Tara Gibbs said.
“It’s been a complete turnaround. The girls want a better season than they’ve had in the past, they want a better name for Tuscola softball. And they’ve worked their tails off to make it happen so far.”
A half-dozen sophomores have started at some point for Tuscola, including pitcher Melody Hannah who is 6-1 with a 4.31 earned-run average and 42 strikeouts in 48 innings pitched.
Hannah’s pitch selection consists of a fastball, changeup, curveball, screwball, dropball, riseball and drop curve.
“The intensity every day at practice and in our games is astonishing,” Hannah said.
“It’s great to see everyone working towards our goals.”
Tuscola softball coach Tara Gibbs talks to her players during Thursday’s practice in Waynesville.
Leading hitters for the Mountaineers are Sarah Arrington (.565), Savannah Buchanan (.500), Heather Carver (.429), Allison Plafcan (.429), Hannah (.407), Faith Robinson (.318) and Ashley Welch (.292). Buchanan has driven in a team-high 15 runs, followed by Arrington (eight), Carver (seven), Hannah (five), Joneja Rice (five), Robinson (five) and Welch (five).
Welch is a first baseman and one of four seniors along with Destiny Mullen, Kelly Leon and Ashton Glance.
“It’s great to see the way that everyone of this team supports each other,” Welch said.
“It’s different than it has been in the past, we are definitely more of a family. Everyone at the school has been really excited about softball this year. It’s great to see the way that the program is progressing.”
The next game for Tuscola is Tuesday at West Henderson.
The Haywood team’s only loss came by the mercy rule to Reynolds (10-0 on March 5). Take that nonconference game out of the mix and the Mountaineers have outscored opponents, 71-23.
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