The Charles Henderson Lady Trojans wrapped up the regular season over the weekend. Now, they turn their attention to the Class 5A Area 3 Tournament.

The Trojans finished in second place in Area 3 during the regular season and now they will travel to Rehobeth High School, where they hope to finish in the top two and advance to the regional tournament.

“We are ready to start the postseason,” said head coach Robin Snyder. “Our hitting has not been what it has been in the last month, but we are hoping that it will all gel and it will give us a good run in the postseason.”

It’s been a season of inconsistencies for Snyder and the Trojans. Charles Henderson began the year with a strong lineup and the pitching was slow out of the gates. Now at the end of the season, the roles are reversed and it’s the offense that is looking for a spark.

“We hit the ball better early in the year and we didn’t pitch well earlier in the year,” Snyder said. “Now we are pitching better, but we aren’t hitting as well.  Hopefully we will put it all together starting at the area tournament and make a big run.”
The Trojans have won the last two area tournaments, both of which came on their own field. This year they are traveling, and although a third-straight championship is the ultimate goal, the Trojans are just looking to survive and advance.

“Our goal tomorrow is to win two games,” Snyder said. “It’s not that winning the area tournament isn’t the most important thing, but the most important thing right now is to advance to regionals. Winning two games is our goal. If we win the third game and the area tournament, it’s icing on the cake.”

If they do indeed advance to the regional tournament, the Trojans of course will shift their attention to make it to state, but now they are focusing on the area tournament. To get to where they want to be, they will have to rely on a pitching staff headed up by seniors Emma Kirkpatrick and Sydni Garrett. After a slow start to their season in March, the two seniors are starting to pick up the pace.

“Neither one of them had a really good March,” Snyder said. “Here of late they both have pitched a lot better. They are starting to hit their spots more consistently and doing things they are asked to do.”

The Trojans entered the season with a mix of veterans and players new to varsity softball. The Trojans started the year with five seniors, one junior, four sophomores and six freshmen. Snyder believes the inexperience of his younger players have led to the inconsistent play offensively.

“We have three seniors that have played consistently at the varsity level,” Snyder said. “AJ (May) has played for a long time, but not at the varsity level. You have two juniors in Hannah Hughes and Mykyia Milton. One of our 10 graders, Ashlyn Shaver, who has contributed over the last few years, has been injured. The age difference and inexperience is going to play a role tomorrow and regionals in how well they respond in those situations.”

Rehobeth will open the tournament against four-seeded Carroll. Charles Henderson will open up with three-seeded Greenville at 10 a.m.