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STAR CORRESPONDENT

The Hampton Lady Bulldogs softball team finished 2-7 and were winless versus conference foes Unaka, Cloudland and North Greene. This season’s challenge will be more difficult as the Lady Bulldogs move up to 1-AA and will face Chuckey-Doak, West Greene, South Greene, Happy Valley and Johnson County as conference foes.

“We are trying to build on the improvement we made under Chelsey Weddle the last few years,” Lady Bulldogs head coach Allison Riddle said. “We have five seniors and we think we are real solid on the infield and Riley Davis will be our number one pitcher. Emma Hughes will pitch some too and I think she will do really well.”

The infield will consist of Makenzie Thompson at first base, Lacey Smith will handle second base with Abby Guy at shortstop and Taylor Berry at third base. Sophomore Hannah Smith will be the catcher with Maleah Scalf manning centerfield.

The corner outfield spots will be an open competition.

“Last year we finished fourth in the conference and this year we move up to double A,” Riddle said. “We are looking good this year and we are growing, but we have to learn how to turn improvement into winning.”

The Bulldogs will keep former conference and county rivals Cloudland and Unaka on the schedule, facing each in home and away contests in 2024.

“Those teams are always good and provide great competition,” Riddle said. “They are a good measuring stick for us.”