By DONNELL COLEY
Sports editor
ERWIN— Very few local softball teams are more eager to hit the diamond for the 2020-21 season than seven-time state champion Cape Fear Christian Academy.
Coming off its latest title in 2019, last year's repeat bid was prematurely cut short due to the ongoing spread of a worldwide virus that would eventually retire all athletics for the rest of the spring.
Nearly 12 months later, CFCA coach Sterling Holmes isn't relaxing expectations despite losing a host of seniors that had major roles both in the lineup and on defense.
"The thing we (coaching staff) tell them every year is ... 'play fearless,'" Holmes said.
"We already know [they're] gonna make a mistake. We know [they're] gonna strike out – we don't care. We care what they do next ... The only way we can stay a championship program is if they give me 100%, 100% of the time."
Holmes says the message resonates even more with a gang of newcomers who figure to have an immediate impact.
Clinton transfer Mariah Bell joins the Lady Eagles as a versatile utility player with blazing speed. The junior had a pair of triples and led the team with three RBI in last week's opener against Pungo Christian.
Meanwhile, Cailee Ray was the team's last addition, with her family moving in town just ahead of the opener, and has already claimed the third base position vacated by 2019 all-state selection Kristen Bass.
Taking over at first base is yet another newcomer in Kim Bordeaux, who already has an RBI to her name this season.
Holmes says the blend of new and seasoned talent has been virtually seamless and makes for a focused, yet gleeful bunch.
"They have a great time. They get along good, they have fun, but when they step on the field it's all business," Holmes said.
"The goal is to bring home another state championship."
Rotating the circle
With a young team that has just one senior, sophomore pitcher Rhyleigh Horne is seen as one of the cagey veterans, having pitched a complete game and earning the win to help claim state title No. 7.
This year, Horne shares the circle with Claire Parker, who posted a shutout win in the state semifinal as a freshman, and Bordeaux.
"It's a young team with a ton of experience," Holmes said.
"They've all played ball most of their lives and they just go out and do their thing."
'Persistent' at the plate
Offensively, Horne has emerged as a spearhead for a never-quit lineup that posted six runs in the opener last week.
Horne was 2-for-3 with a team-high two runs, while Ray led the group with three hits in her first game as a Lady Eagle.
Meanwhile, Bell, Parker and junior reserve Trinity Olive all came across the plate to help get the comeback tie after the group fell behind early.
"They don't get down on themselves, they just keep pressing forward – persistent," Holmes said, describing the team's most noteworthy attribute.
A full slate
Holmes still remembers how demoralizing it was to watch his group outscore opponents 31-1 through two games last season before the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association canceled all interscholastic activities.
Though other high school organizations around the country shortened seasons in response to COVID-19 this year, NCISAA softball teams are allowed a full schedule and Holmes says his group isn't taking that for granted.
"We're extremely fortunate in that and the girls just want to play ball,"
"I just tell them, 'Hey girls, let's make the best of it because we don't know if they'll call the season."
The Lady Eagles' fearless quest for No. 8 resumes when they open conference play Tuesday, March 16 against Fayetteville Christian.
Donnell Coley can be reached at dcoley@mydailyrecord.com or 910-230-2040.
Sports editor
ERWIN— Very few local softball teams are more eager to hit the diamond for the 2020-21 season than seven-time state champion Cape Fear Christian Academy.
Coming off its latest title in 2019, last year's repeat bid was prematurely cut short due to the ongoing spread of a worldwide virus that would eventually retire all athletics for the rest of the spring.
Nearly 12 months later, CFCA coach Sterling Holmes isn't relaxing expectations despite losing a host of seniors that had major roles both in the lineup and on defense.
"The thing we (coaching staff) tell them every year is ... 'play fearless,'" Holmes said.
"We already know [they're] gonna make a mistake. We know [they're] gonna strike out – we don't care. We care what they do next ... The only way we can stay a championship program is if they give me 100%, 100% of the time."
Holmes says the message resonates even more with a gang of newcomers who figure to have an immediate impact.
Clinton transfer Mariah Bell joins the Lady Eagles as a versatile utility player with blazing speed. The junior had a pair of triples and led the team with three RBI in last week's opener against Pungo Christian.
Meanwhile, Cailee Ray was the team's last addition, with her family moving in town just ahead of the opener, and has already claimed the third base position vacated by 2019 all-state selection Kristen Bass.
Taking over at first base is yet another newcomer in Kim Bordeaux, who already has an RBI to her name this season.
Holmes says the blend of new and seasoned talent has been virtually seamless and makes for a focused, yet gleeful bunch.
"They have a great time. They get along good, they have fun, but when they step on the field it's all business," Holmes said.
"The goal is to bring home another state championship."
Rotating the circle
With a young team that has just one senior, sophomore pitcher Rhyleigh Horne is seen as one of the cagey veterans, having pitched a complete game and earning the win to help claim state title No. 7.
This year, Horne shares the circle with Claire Parker, who posted a shutout win in the state semifinal as a freshman, and Bordeaux.
"It's a young team with a ton of experience," Holmes said.
"They've all played ball most of their lives and they just go out and do their thing."
'Persistent' at the plate
Offensively, Horne has emerged as a spearhead for a never-quit lineup that posted six runs in the opener last week.
Horne was 2-for-3 with a team-high two runs, while Ray led the group with three hits in her first game as a Lady Eagle.
Meanwhile, Bell, Parker and junior reserve Trinity Olive all came across the plate to help get the comeback tie after the group fell behind early.
"They don't get down on themselves, they just keep pressing forward – persistent," Holmes said, describing the team's most noteworthy attribute.
A full slate
Holmes still remembers how demoralizing it was to watch his group outscore opponents 31-1 through two games last season before the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association canceled all interscholastic activities.
Though other high school organizations around the country shortened seasons in response to COVID-19 this year, NCISAA softball teams are allowed a full schedule and Holmes says his group isn't taking that for granted.
"We're extremely fortunate in that and the girls just want to play ball,"
"I just tell them, 'Hey girls, let's make the best of it because we don't know if they'll call the season."
The Lady Eagles' fearless quest for No. 8 resumes when they open conference play Tuesday, March 16 against Fayetteville Christian.
Donnell Coley can be reached at dcoley@mydailyrecord.com or 910-230-2040.
