LHS softball to feature strong pitching
Published 8:30 am Thursday, February 15, 2018
- Haley Ellefson, who signed with FSW (Fort Myers), is in her final year with the Hornets.
MAYO, Fla. — The Lafayette softball team continued its district title streak last year even with seven underclassmen in the starting lineup. The Hornets won their 12th straight district title and advanced to a regional final.
2017 Record: 11-18
Key returners: Haley Ellefson P/SS/1B, Richelle McDonald P/SS, Hannah Murray 3B/1B, Charlie James CF/SS, Ragan Barnes C
| Feb. 15 | At Chiefland | 7 p.m. |
| Feb. 16 | at Bell | 7 p.m. |
| Feb. 20 | Jefferson County | 6 p.m. |
| Feb. 22 | Trenton | 7 p.m. |
| Feb. 23 | At Taylor County | 7 p.m. |
| Feb. 27 | At Branford | 7 p.m. |
| March 2 | At Santa Fe tournament | TBD |
| March 6 | At Hamilton County | 7 p.m. |
| March 9 | Madison County | 7 p.m. |
| March 22 | At Aucilla Christian | 4 p.m. |
| March 23 | Hamilton County | 7 p.m. |
| March 26 | at Jefferson County | 4 p.m. |
| March 27 | Dixie County | 7 p.m. |
| March 30 | At Madison County | 7 p.m. |
| April 3 | At Trenton | 7 p.m. |
| April 6 | Taylor County | 7 p.m. |
| April 10 | Chiefland | 7 p.m. |
| April 12 | At Dixie County | 7 p.m. |
| April 13 | Aucilla Christian | 6 p.m. |
| Apri 17 | At Santa Fe | 7 p.m. |
| April 20 | Bell | 7 p.m. |
Outlook: Lafayette brings back almost its entire team, which includes ace Haley Ellefson and sophomore pitcher Richelle McDonald.
Even though the Hornets are young again, their pitching should give them a chance to make another strong postseason run.
“It would be hard to find another program that has two pitchers as good as we have,” said Hornets coach Tommy Chambers. “We’re hoping to ride them, play good defense and score runs when we need to.”
Ellefson, also Lafayette’s best bat, won’t be back on the softball field until after basketball season is finished.
With her out of the lineup initially, LHS will turn to Murray, James and Barnes for more offensive production. They combined to drive in 38 runs last season.
Defense, though, is what Chambers is focused on this season.
“We gave up too many easy outs,” Chambers said of his team’s defense last season. “I’m an old-time football coach — offenses are exciting, but defense wins championships. We’re stressing better defensive play.”
The Hornets played well in all areas in their regular season opener against Branford on Tuesday — a 9-2 win. Lafayette’s next game is Thursday at Chiefland.
