Region1Dad

Don’t rule out Carlisle County for hanging around on Sunday. They’re playing good ball themselves.

Carlisle County easily took Region 1. Caldwell County easily took Region 2. I think both these teams have been a little overlooked.

I missed the first Region. Sure thought Hickman Co would be on top.

You’re correct on participation. I was referring to the teams who actually are probably the best All A teams in their districts. Not necessarily who will win, for one reason or the other.

Region 1 Hickman Co Region 2 Caldwell Co Region 3 Owensboro Catholic Region 4 Russellville Region 5 Green Co

Region 1 you have Lindsay Carroll, Lakyn Largent, and a whole host of choices at McCracken Co. They’ll make another trip to State this year with Marshall Co giving them a run for their money. You will hear a lot about junior Gracey Murt this year as she will be a junior on the field. Gracie Lusk, pitcher from Hickman Co will only be a sophomore but has the potential to do big things at the varsity level this year. She’s a threat offensively and defensively from the mound. Christina O’Daniel comes to mind from Carlisle Co. You’ll see an improved Graves Co team with new coaching staff. Region 2 is packed with talent too. State champs Madisonville-North lost Tow and Peyton this year but those teams don’t rebuild they reload. Look for them to take the region again and be highly contested by Christian, Webster, and Caldwell. Christian Co has UK commit Emmy Blane leading their stats and Murray State commit Tyler Shemwell close to her. Lexi Miller is their biggest bat at Madisonville now. Webster has added staff and will be improved over last year. Caldwell has had a young group that is finally growing up and ready to make some real noise. Mashea Glover has a big bat and lots of speed for them. And what do those four schools who will contend for regional bragging rights have in common? They all have one pitching ace. Lexi O’Daniel, Courtney Patterson, Karlie Keeney, and Katie Franklin. Expect huge pitching duals with these four this year. Patterson returns as the MVP from the state championship and Keeney committed D1. In my opinion, Region 2 will see some of the best contests in the state this year. The All A regional title will hands down go to Caldwell Co and I predict they win at least their first round of the All A State and possibly go further if they stay healthy. Who else is ready for some softball? It’s going to be a fun year.

Predictions this year for Region 2? Does Christian County challenge Madisonville North for a region title? Who is going to be most improved? Does Crittenden, Caldwell, or UHA challenge Lyon County for the All A?

I don't think anyone challenges McCracken County this year. Marshall County will make a run at them next year. Trent Lovett will coach his Lady Marshalls up and they are playing a very competitive schedule this year. I look for them to be the most improved team over the next couple years.

Emmy Blane is a member of the Southern Force-Carroll team. Lindsay Carroll, who plays for McCracken County has verballed with Murray State University. Tyler Shemwell plays for P-Town.

Must be Ohio rule. Madisonville, Christian, Allen Co, Henderson, many others have always had more than that on a travel team together. I looked on the Facebook page for P-Town best I can tell it's 6 or 7 girls.

Class of 2019 freshman (now sophomores) are developing nicely. Emmy Blane, from Christian Co has a verbal with UK. Always love to hear about girls from our own state representing UK. Christian Co has another talent who Lawson is looking at in Tyler Shemwell. New kid this year who transferred from UHA.

Far west Ky had another team at the Northern Nationals in Michigan that finished 4th. P-Town out of Princeton. It's also their high school team at Caldwell County.

Agreed.

What's everyone think about Region 1 and 2 this coming year? It's early, but I think there are several interesting things developing for an All A showdown in both.

Carlisle has beaten Murray once this season but Murray didn't play their A game and Carlisle did. I'm sure Carlisle will make it interesting!

Murray will take on Carlisle County in Region 1 All A and handle them easily and return to the All A state games. Murray will face a tougher mix of A teams and won't fair as well as they think they will this year I am afraid. Lyon County could go deep in the All A. They are one of the best. I got updates from last night's Lyon County v Caldwell game and it's a game I wish I could have seen! Lyon prevailed as I thought they would, but I heard it came down to two excellent pitching performances by sophomore Sophie Binghaman of Lyon and freshman Katie Franklin of Caldwell. In my opinion, these two teams have a bright future behind those two arms.

I did misspeak on Graves and I did mean Hickman County. Although I believe Murray will prevail here in the All A. Region 2 will go to Lyon County but Caldwell County won't go quietly. They are a much improved team this year. In bigger school news, did anyone notice that Madisonville North beat McCracken County? That was one heck of a game.

I'm looking forward to watching the 2019 class develop. I think there is a lot of talent loaded in that class and 2020 that are going to get Kentucky a lot of publicity as a strong softball state.

I'd agree on several of these I've seen during travel season. 2019 class is loaded with talent from one end of the state to the other. Goedde, Gardner, Keeney, Blane, Patterson definitely get props as great players from this area. But I have a "watch list" of my own from the western part of the state with some girls that might need an honorable mention on this list: 1. Gracie Lusk-(She's an 8th grader, class of 2020 but I have to put her first on the list). Plays for Hickman County and plays travel for the Fury organization. Gracie is a triple threat at the plate and the best 2020 pitcher in the state. Expect D1 interest to start rolling in for her very soon. 2. Gracey Murt-Marshall County pitcher/utility. She's offensively and defensively solid and comfortable no matter what she's doing for her team. Ditched St. Louis Chaos to go play for the Worth Cobras. Gracey has the potential to be one of the best that ever comes out of Marshall County and expect her to go D1. 3. Moshi Glover-Caldwell County utility/catcher. Moshi is the fastest base runner in the state. Home run hitter who intimidates just by stepping in the box. This kid will go D1. Plays for PTown. 4. Mackenzie Durbin-McCracken County's big girl coming up. Lots of attitude and will be hard to beat at the plate when she has a bat in her hand. Plays for Legends, formerly Paducah Lady Storm. 5. Lexi Carter-McCracken County infielder. Plays for Worth Cobras and was a former Paducah Lady Storm standout. Lexi makes the game look effortless and packs a punch on offense and defense. 6. Katie Franklin-Caldwell County pitcher carrying the varsity load. Diamond in the rough. Best kept secret in the state. Plays for PTown. 7. Any freshman playing for Johnny Blane in Christian County. This team is stacked with D1 potential and will be your 2019 KHSAA state champions. 8. Emily Pace-McCracken County. Nobody works harder than this kid and expect her to be a big part of the McCracken County continued success in that program. Just my two cents on what I've seen in school and travel ball. I'm sure my list could be disputed by some.

How's the rankings shaping up now? And how's it looking for the All A? Region 1 will be a showdown between Murray and Graves County in the All A. Looks like there may be some new kids on the block in Region 2. Predictions over there have Lyon County facing Caldwell County for the All A Region title. Some of the best in the state will be facing off. McCracken County and Madisonville North aren't the only two teams in the western part of the state that can play softball. You're going to hear some new names and have some new faces showing up in your top teams and top players very soon from the western end of the state. Good luck to everyone in the All A and the rest of the season.