Lady Trojans finish undefeated, again

KING — For the past four years, Chestnut Grove’s softball team has been perfect. The Lady Trojans have gone 55-0 on the diamond behind the leadership of three different head coaches, Kristen Jones (2021), Julie Gammons (2022, 23), and this year’s coach Brook Bowman.

“The girls are all incredibly hard workers, and the culture that has been built at Chestnut Grove is really something special,” noted Bowman. “All the coaches before me built an awesome program, and I have loved getting to be a part of it.

“I am very blessed to have worked with a wonderful group of girls that have so much support surrounding them in all facets as well as a really special passion for the game that makes them extremely tough competitors. With the support of assistant coaches Denise Tedder and Andrew Hawks, administration within the school, and parents, the team was able to reach great success and keep the tradition rolling.”

In the middle of Chestnut Grove’s success includes eighth grader Rylee Tedder. She has been a fixture on the mound since the sixth grade. The Trojans went 48-0 during her three year stretch with her pitching in 32 of those games. Tedder threw 152.2 innings giving up 42 hits, eight earned runs, 19 walks, 291 strikeouts with an ERA of .368 and opponents batting average of .077.

Offensively, Tedder batted .523 with a slugging percentage of .766 over the span, had 18 doubles, three triples, a homerun, with 43 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases. Currently the pitcher ranks 7th nationally for the 2028 class in the Lined Softball Hot 100 Player rankings.

The Trojans only other eighth grader on the roster of 18 players was Hailey Fulp. She batted .407, a on base percentage of .467 with five runs scored, three doubles, and 7RBIs.

“My main goal for this season, and every season really, is to help every player grow as a person and give them a challenging, encouraging environment to grow in,” added Bowman. “I feel like that is the most important part of any sport, is to help kids ultimately become the best versions of themselves, in success and adversity.

“While winning is great, it’s not everything, the kids are. I think my goal was definitely accomplished, as the girls outshined themselves every single day. They pushed through difficult times and showed up for each other and were rewarded for it.”

Leading the Trojans at the plate was seventh grader Ellie Dwiggins with a batting average of .500 and an on base percentage of .600. Brooklyn Flinchum was next at .474 followed by Taylor Lawson .429, Tedder .412, Fulp .407, and Summer Anderson .400.

Anderson has an impressive stat line with 25 runs scored, four doubles, five homeruns, 17 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases. She also pitched 13.1 innings going 2-0, giving up two earned runs, with 22 strikeouts, and an ERA of 1.05.

As a team, Chestnut Grove batted .417 with an on base percentage of .512, 25 doubles, three triples, five homeruns, 117 RBIs, 168 runs scored, and 80 stolen bases.

The Trojans pitching staff recorded 141 strikeouts on the season, giving up five earned runs, and an ERA of .473.

“I am really proud of the success of these young ladies have had over the past four years,” said Chestnut Grove Athletic Director Brandon Starnes. “I’m very excited for the future of West Stokes softball as they continue the tradition.”

Bowman wants to maintain high expectations for the girls returning and the new players trying out. She believes it will be vital in continuing the success of the program.

“We will continue to reiterate how important it is for everyone to do their jobs,” said the coach. “We want them to compete at the best of their abilities, especially when it gets hard, and special things will come from that.”

Members of the team are Summer Andeson, Allie Barneycastle, Kinley Brown, Ella Bourne, Addison Bowles, Mckinlee Butner, Alyssa Davis, Ava Davis, Ellie Dwiggins, Brooklyn Flinchum, Madi Frenette, Hailey Fulp, Kalie Hawks, Taylor Lawson, Rylee Tedder, Annabell Ratledge, Mallory Rogatsios, Harper Stogner, head coach Brook Bowman, and assistant coaches, Denise Tedder, and Andrew Hawks.