WISE – UVA Wise softball has officially returned for the 2022 season as the Cavaliers will embark on their first games of the season on Saturday, Feb. 5 and Sunday, Feb. 6 — facing non-conference opponent Converse University at 2:00/4:00 PM starts on each day.
The UVA Wise Cavaliers ended their 2021 season in the middle of the South Atlantic Conference pack with a 12-12 record. Overall, the team finished with 17 wins, 19 losses, and a tie.
In the new season, the Cavaliers were tabbed at 9th place in the SAC Preseason Poll, with junior McKenna Falwell and sophomore Sarah Barrett earning SAC Preseason first- and second-team honors.
 
NEW FACES
Co-head coaches Nick and Karen Bitter bring in 10 fresh faces to the UVA Wise softball program in the 2022 season. "This group has been solid in practice and there is definitely a lot of promise," K. Bitter stated. "I think this all comes down to this new group managing the toughness of our league."
INFIELD:
Kacie Jones: Freshman infielder from Coeburn, Va.
Cloey Bailey: Freshman infielder from Coeburn, Va.
Sydney Cameron: Freshman first baseman from Newport, Tenn.
Abagail Mills: Freshman second baseman from South Riding, Va.

IN THE CIRCLE:
Alivia Nolley: Freshman right-handed pitcher from Cedar Bluff, Va.
Kaylee Lovingood: Freshman right-handed pitcher from Louisville, Tenn.

BEHIND THE DISH
Haley Finney: Freshman catcher from Lebanon, Va.
Emma McCauley: Freshman catcher and outfielder from Catharpin, Va.
Mallory McKnight: Freshman catcher from Leesburg, Va.

OUTFIELD:
Michaela Barney: Freshman outfielder from Gate City, Va.
 
RETURNERS
The softball program welcomes back 11 returners in the 2022 season, with McKenna Falwell as the main returner on the mound. Also bringing talents to the mound will be senior Sydney Collins, and supporting her pitchers behind the plate will be Junior Megan Wilson. Senior Kaylee Jones will cover her ground on the first base side while sophomore Mady Buchanan and sophomore Madison Milne will pull out all the stops on third base. In between the two will be sophomore Kara Long at shortstop and Haley Duckett covering second base for the Cavalier squad.

In the outfield, the Cavaliers return senior Alexis Miles, sophomore Sarah Barrett, and sophomore Jenna McDermott.

"I really think we have a great handle on what needs to be done from our returners, but we just need to execute," K. Bitter added.

Hear more on Cavalier softball in the official 2022 Season Preview, linked here. For schedule updates and more information on UVA Wise softball, please visit www.uvawisecavs.com.