'A great bunch of young ladies': South Lenoir softball gives coach Lisa Smith a final playoff journey
WASHINGTON – Lisa Smith is going out with a bang after 24 years as South Lenoir’s softball coach.
The Blue Devils have been competitive in conference play and have held their own against other non-area teams over the years. But this is one of the best under the retiring Smith, who is 385-133 with 13 conference titles.
South Lenoir is in the NCHSAA 2-A East Regional final series for the first time since falling to South Granville in two games in 2013 – two wins shy of advancing to the state championship series.
But talk to Smith, and her focus is strictly on her players.
“They are a great bunch of young ladies and they believe in each other,” she said. “They have great comradery with each other, they take ownership in what they do and they work extremely hard.”
The Blue Devils seemed to have been on a mission all season en route to a 24-1 record prior to Wednesday’s 4-0 defeat at Washington in Game 1 of the regional series. Game 2 of the series was Thursday night in Deep Run. A third game, if needed, would be at 6 p.m. Friday in Washington.
They have averaged 11.6 runs and allow less than a run per game. Playoff scores have included 18-0, 20-1 and 7-1 victories. Before the first contest with Washington (27-0), South Lenoir had not allowed more than three runs in a game all season.
Senior Rebekah Howard provides power from the pitching circle and junior shortstop Mary Grace Beyer provides solid play defensively and offensively and is also a positive influence in the dugout.
The rest of the lineup -- junior second baseman Makayla Sasnett, senior catcher Macy Sanderson, freshman Callie Tyndall, junior third baseman Grace Howard, sophomore center fielder Kiley Smith, junior right fielder Madison Dunford and sophomore left fielder Jordan Sasnett -- have all also contributed in different ways.
“It has taken everybody to be successful,” Smith said. “That’s the thing about this team. They help each other out. It doesn’t matter what grade you are in. They work on helping each other out and helping the team out.”
Overall, the Blue Devils have three seniors, four juniors, four sophomores and two freshmen that have helped the program get to the a regional final after four trips to the third round and two appearances in the second rounds since 2012.
This is an experienced club, given that South Lenoir graduated only one senior from last year’s team that was 12-3, won a conference title before falling in the first round.
“These girls have been the nucleus of our team,” Smith said. “They have held us together. We always give glory to God and we continue to give glory to him for giving us another day.”
Chris Miller can be contacted via email at chris.miller@jdnews.com. Follow him on twitter @jdnsports.
This article originally appeared on Kinston/Jones Free Press: South Lenoir softball gives coach Lisa Smith a final playoff journey
