WISE – UVA Wise softball returns to the field Monday for the 2021 campaign as the Cavaliers travel to North Carolina to face Chowan University in a doubleheader. The Cavs closed out the 2020 season with a 10-14 overall mark and a 1-3 South Atlantic Conference record prior to the campaign being suspended due to COVID-19. Co-head coaches Karen Bitter and Nick Bitter return 12 players to their roster from last year and add seven newcomers to this year's squad. UVA Wise was selected 12th in this year's preseason coaches poll while senior Kaylee Jones was tabbed preseason All-SAC first team and sophomore McKenna Falwell was a preseason All-SAC second team honoree.

PITCHERS

UVA Wise returns all four pitchers from a season ago. Falwell finished her freshman season ranked second in the SAC with an impressive 1.65 ERA (73rd nationally). The righty struck out 89 in 72 innings of work and picked up five wins in the circle last season. "She has an idea now of what it will take to really be successful at this level," noted Coach Karen Bitter. "She has worked hard in the offseason to increase her velocity and pitch movement … we look forward to seeing her back in the circle."

Raychel Lapallo appeared in 12 games last year and recorded 24 strike outs across 44 2/3 innings. The senior notched three wins in the circle last season. "She has worked hard this offseason on adding a couple of pitches to her repertoire," stated Bitter. "She had some games last year she really dominated – looking forward to seeing more of that this season."

Senior Kailyn Spencer appeared in nine games for the Cavs during 2020 and gained two wins in the circle. "She really had to battle last season and I am looking forward to seeing her healthier in the circle this year," said Bitter.

Sydney Collins made three appearances in the circle last year for the Cavs as she returns to the pitching staff for her junior season. "She will be someone you will want to watch closely this year," remarked Bitter. "She has really honed in her pitching mechanics and has increased her overall strike percentage."

INFIELD

Jones was in the midst of an incredible campaign before the season was halted as she registered a .446 batting average and tallied 23 RBI and nine home runs through 24 games. Jones set single-season program records in batting average, slugging percentage (1.046), and on base percentage (.571). "While it would be extremely difficult for any player to match, if not surpass, those numbers, she is capable of doing it," commented Bitter. "We have had her workout at first base mostly this offseason – looking forward to seeing how that works out."

Casey Chambers will be back at third base this year for UVA Wise. The senior totaled 12 hits, eight runs, and 10 RBI a season ago. Chambers started in 22 games during 2020, posting a pair of homeruns and four doubles on the season. "She has a lot on her plate, but she is capable of being a great defender and offensive threat," said Bitter.

Hayley Duckett looks to make her return to the field this season once she is fully recovered after playing in seven games last year. "She is rehabbing an injury right now, but she has worked very hard this offseason," commented Bitter. "We are looking forward to having her back and hope to see her get some opportunities at the plate and second base."

Riley Hunt is back after a solid freshman campaign as the designated player for the Cavs. The sophomore made 14 starts and compiled three runs, six RBI, and 10 hits including a homer. "We are looking forward to seeing her continue to contribute to our offense," remarked Bitter. "She has also worked out at first base for us this offseason and may see some time there."

Kara Long will make her debut this spring at the shortstop position. The Lebanon, Virginia product was a three-time all-region selection at Lebanon High School prior to coming to UVA Wise. "We are excited to see how Kara will contribute to the team this spring," commented Bitter. "She will start at shortstop and is a great defensive player."

Sarah Barrett will be competing for a starting spot in the infield this season. Barrett comes to Wise from Gainesville, Georgia where she was a three-time All-Region 8 first team selection. In her senior season at Gainesville High School, Barrett earned Offensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player accolades. "She has displayed a powerful swing and has improved her glove work this offseason," said Bitter.

Zariah Scales joins the team this year after attending Magna Vista High School in Ridgeway, Virginia. Scales had an impressive high school career becoming the first player in school history to earn All-State honors twice and the first player to be named to the All-State first team. "She has been rehabbing a surgery most of the offseason but is really starting to come along," noted Bitter. "She has the ability to be a powerful hitter and we hope to be able to utilize her this spring."

Mady Buchanan comes to Wise from Lynch Station, Virginia and attended Staunton River High School where she was a two-year starter at third base for the Golden Eagles. Buchanan will also be competing for a starting position in the infield this season. "She is getting more and more confident at the plate and we look forward to seeing how she will contribute," remarked Bitter.

OUTFIELD

Alexis Miles enters into her senior season after amassing 11 runs, 21 RBI, and 16 hits through 24 starts last year. The centerfielder doubled four times and tallied five homeruns for the Cavs during the shortened season. "She has improved a lot this offseason on being more patient at the plate," noted Bitter. "She is a powerful hitter and this team will need her to be more consistent this year."

Kailey Huffman embarks on her second season with the Cavs after posting a .280 batting average last season. The senior made 23 starts and finished the abbreviated season with five runs and 14 hits including three doubles. "She really has worked on her swing this offseason and has added some more pop to her bat," said Bitter. "We are looking forward to watching her run down some balls in right field."

Jenna McDermott hails from Townsend, Delaware where she was named Varsity Defensive MVP and an All-Conference first team honoree at Middletown High School. "We are excited to see how Jenna will contribute to the team this year," stated Bitter. "She will be a big presence for us in left field and has worked hard this offseason on her swing."

CATCHERS

Katie Russell is back behind the plate for the Cavs this season. The senior finished with five runs, four RBI, and seven hits including a pair of homers in 2020. Russell ended that campaign with 17 starts and an impressive .991 fielding percentage. "She does a great job for us behind the plate and with our pitchers," commented Bitter. "She is continuing to work on her swing and the team will need her to produce more this season to give us more depth in the lineup."

Megan Wilson returns to the roster as a catcher this season after playing in six games and making one start during 2020. Wilson tallied a run, hit, and RBI last season for UVA Wise. "She does a great job with our pitchers and will have an opportunity to compete for a starting spot at catcher," said Bitter.

Jessica McNeill comes to Wise from Ramsuer, North Carolina where she attended Eastern Randolph High School. During her career at Eastern Randolph, McNeill was tabbed a 2019 Courier-Tribune All-County softball team honorable mention and aided her team to a state 2A championship appearance her junior year. "Jess has a great arm and has been working on her receiving and communication behind the plate this offseason," stated Bitter. "She has a solid swing and we are looking forward to seeing how she will contribute."

UTILITY

Madison Milne joins UVA Wise this year after attending Woodgrove High School where she helped her team advance to the state tournament twice and earn a state championship title. A product of Round Hill, Virginia, Milne garnered all-district accolades during her three-year career at Woodgrove. "A true utility, she can play outfield, infield, and has a great arm," commented Bitter. "We are fortunate to have her versatility – we look forward to seeing her grow as a player."

UVA Wise has won its last three games against Chowan as the two teams last met in the Cavs first ever NCAA postseason appearance at the Atlantic 1 Regional Tournament. In that game, Coach Bitter and her 2017 squad posted a 2-1 win over the Hawks at Cavalier Field.

First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at the CU Softball Field in Murfreesboro, North Carolina.

For schedule updates and more information on UVA Wise softball, please visit www.uvawisecavs.com.