Carroll County 2024 high school softball preview: Francis Scott Key made history last year, now its tries to take next step
Last season, Carroll County softball came down to one major fact: Francis Scott Key’s Jasmine Kline was unhittable at times.
After throwing over 2,000 pitches, the Quinnipiac commit and reigning Player of the Year is back, ready to lead an Eagles team coming off not just a county championship, but the school’s first regional title in over 25 years.
The Eagles are no doubt the favorites this year as Kline returns alongside Emma Tawney (Mount Saint Mary’s commit), Emma Taff (Rutgers Newark University) and fellow juniors Kendall Jackman and Morgan Kenney.
The Eagles won that regional title last season in an 11-inning thriller against Liberty and the Lions come into 2024 looking strong yet again, returning several players led by Hannah DeVincent, who’s was named girls soccer Player of the Year in the fall. The Lions have lost in regional finals each of the past two seasons and a strong senior class is looking to get over the hurdle this year.
Another fall sports honoree, field hockey Player of the Year Alayna Enoff, will also take her talents to the softball field as South Carroll will be another team looking to avenge a playoff loss to FSK.
Look for coach Lyndzie Hoff to lean on Enoff, Katelyn Abell, Madison Wright and Sophia Pugliese in efforts to regain the regional title they won two years ago, a season in which the Cavaliers ran to the state semifinals.
Here’s a look at some of the teams in Carroll County heading into 2024:
Century
Coach: Kim Perdue, fifth season
2023: 9-12, lost to Northeast in regional final.
Top returners: Senior Jordan Currie and junior Caylee Clark.
Newcomers to watch: Freshman Rileigh Coyle.
Coach’s outlook: “We have a mature team with some experience from last season. If we can support our pitcher by scoring more runs we can be very competitive.”
Francis Scott Key
Coach: Stephen Turner, third season
2023: 18-2, county champion, regional champion, lost to Patterson Mill in state quarterfinals.
Top returners: Seniors Emma Tawney and Emma Taff; juniors Jasmine Kline, Kendall Jackman and Morgan Kenney.
Newcomers to watch: Freshman Maddie Rill.
Coach’s outlook: “We are a solid team with a chip on our shoulder after losing in the state quarters last year. We should be effective on both sides of the ball and are looking forward to building off of last year.”
Liberty
Coach: Chris Szocik, 16th season
2023: 11-5, lost in regional championship to FSK
Top returners: Seniors Kaelin Ault (C) and Evelyn Connor (1B); juniors Erin Martin (SS) and Hannah DeVincent (3B).
Newcomers to watch: Junior Sophia Steele and freshman Allison Bald.
Coach’s outlook: “Our outlook is good to compete for the in-county best record. Liberty and FSK have returning good teams but all teams should be competitive.”
Manchester Valley
Coach: Mike Hernandez, 14th season
2023: 13-6, lost in 3A state semifinals.
Top returners: Seniors Kasey Thomas (SS), Claire Smith (C/3B), Alex Carroll (3B/C), Brooke Sims (OF/P) and Grace Wood (OF)
Newcomer to watch: Sophomore Hailey Facchine (P).
Coach’s outlook: “Team will have to play strong competitive softball to compete in the county.”
South Carroll
Coach: Lyndzie Hoff, second season
Last season: 10-10, lost to FSK in regional semifinals.
Top returning players: Senior Katelyn Abell ; juniors Madison Wright and Sophia Pugliese ; sophomores Myla Bell and Alayna Enoff.
Newcomers to watch: Freshman Gabriella Pittinger.
Coaches outlook: “Despite losing seven seniors to graduation, we plan to be very competitive in the county and region. We have a solid group returning, as well as a very talented group of underclassmen looking to add to our depth in the field and batting lineup.”
Westminster
Coach: April Sexton, seventh season
Last season: 13-8, lost to Marriotts Ridge in regional semifinals.
Top returning players: Seniors Kaitlyn Clark, Aislin Cole and Kayla Garland.
Newcomers to watch: N/A
Coaches outlook: “Westminster has a solid, experienced team this year. As long as we perform up to our abilities and maintain focus, we should be a competitive force.”
Winters Mill
Coach: Felicia Knill, ninth season
Last season: 2-16, lost to Northeast in regional semifinals.
Top returning players: Senior Hannah Shipton and sophomore Briana Collins.
Newcomers to watch: N/A
Coaches outlook: “We are looking to lean on senior experience and the energy of younger players.”