Powell softball faces tough start to state title defense
Finding a way out of Knoxville should go a long way toward repeating as Class AAA state champion.
At least that’s the philosophy Powell High School softball coach Jeff Inman is taking with his team as the 2019 postseason begins.
“The toughest part of the postseason the past two years (the Panthers were state runner-ups in 2017) was getting out of Knoxville,” Inman said. “Being familiar with teams is good and bad. We all know the strengths and weaknesses.”
Powell, 31-5, will likely have to run through Anderson County and Halls to win the district. The Panthers have already beaten the Mavericks four times this season and have split with Halls.
“You can’t have a bad game or you’re going to get beat,” Inman said. “That’s the way it has been the past couple years. That gets us ready for anything down the road.”
Offensive struggles are new
The unfamiliar territory for the Panthers comes at the bottom of the batting order. Inman said, unlike previous seasons, the last four slots in the lineup have struggled with productivity.
“We’ve moved people around to find a hot bat,” Inman said. “We’ve never really struggled like that in the past couple years. Sometimes you have to be creative to make something happen.”
The offensive inconsistency came to a head in mid-April when the Panthers lost three of four games – to Gibbs, Chattanooga Girls Preparatory School and William Blount – in the Gibbs Tournament.
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“We just didn’t hit, that’s all,” Inman said. “We never went through anything like that the past couple years. We usually struggle when we go four or five days without live pitching. That’s why we really have to work to find the right combination at the bottom of the lineup. We need someone who can make contact; put the ball in play.”
Farr commands the circle
Beyond those offensive inconsistencies, Inman feels good about the defensive team he puts on the field each day, and the ace he hands the ball to in the circle.
Allison Farr (21-2 this season with 183 strikeouts), who was a dominant pitcher during the postseason the past two years, has resumed that role. In her final regular season outing, she struck out 18 and allowed two hits in a 3-0 win over Union County.
Developing a changeup she can throw for a strike has given Farr another weapon in the arsenal.
“With the way we’ve played defense and the way Ali has pitched, I’d give us a good chance of winning every time we step on the field,” Inman said. “In 14 years of coaching, I’ve learned pitching and defense win championships.
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“Make the routine plays. Throw strikes. Don’t give any free bases. That’s the way to advance in the tournament.
“We’re a good fundamental team. At the start of the season, I wasn’t sure how good of a defensive team we’d be. We’re pretty solid. Early on I was concerned about the newness of some people to some positions. Those people have responded.”
Offensively, Hayden Dye is hitting .565 with four homers and 51 RBIs. Cayden Baker (.433), Lilly Holston (.356, 4 homers, 30 RBIs) and Ashley Harbison (.429, 2 homers, 30 RBIs) are the Panther leaders.
Been there, done that
While fighting to get out of Knoxville, Powell has an advantage over its opponents: The Panthers have been there before.
“We’ve always stressed about playing your best at the end,” Inman said. “We lost three seniors from last year, so we have a big crew back that has been through (a state championship run) before.
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“It has to give them comfort and confidence too have been there before. They won’t be as nervous as most will be.
“It should be an advantage. It will add to the fire and a little of the hunger.”
