Chattanooga Christian revives softball program

Chattanooga Christian softball coach Lisa Gray talks to her team Friday during an orientation before practice.
Chattanooga Christian softball coach Lisa Gray talks to her team Friday during an orientation before practice.

Three teams to watch

1. Baylor: The Lady Red Raiders won the Division II-AA state championship last spring.2. Ooltewah: The Lady Owls reached the Class AAA state semifinal last year and return most of their lineup.3. Sale Creek: Clifford Kirk guided the Lady Panthers to the state tournament for the first time in school history last May.

Three players to watch

1. Cheyenne Lindsey: The Baylor School outfielder has committed to play for the defending national champion Florida Gators.2. Kayla Boseman: The Ooltewah pitcher went 22-4 in the circle last year and returns for her sophomore season.3. Brooke Parrott: The star pitcher for Central led the Lady Pounders to the state tournament last year as a sophomore.

Hannah Stimart has never played softball outside of physical education class or toying around with her friends.

She's been a basketball player and a cheerleader. But she'll be playing this spring for Chattanooga Christian School, which is restarting the softball program after a two-year hiatus.

"It seemed like a great chance and this is my senior year, so why not play softball," Stimart said. "I can't imagine not being on a team."

Lisa Gray is the coach. CCS did not field a team in the last two seasons because the high school didn't have enough players. But the middle school program developed and the Lady Chargers now are ready to compete on the varsity level.

Gray has experience starting programs because she began the team at Covenant College. She has included two of her former players, Sarah Kelly and Rebecca Ludwick, as assistant coaches.

"Starting a program can be frustrating at times, but you get to make the details yours," Gray said. "I have a lot of good young talent, but it's about molding it."

The Lady Chargers team consists of 14 players, including two seniors, no juniors and several eighth-graders.

Freshman pitchers Rachel Kay and Madison Hollis play travel softball and will have leadership responsibilities along with Stimart and senior Katie Gadd, who played on the CCS team her freshman year.

"I didn't realize how much I missed softball until I started playing again," Gadd said. "I guess I had my time filled with basketball and track. It's nice to be back on the field again."

Stimart's role - in her first year - will not be in the middle of the Lady Chargers' lineup. She likely will be a designated player and courtesy runner. She's yet to get comfortable at the plate.

"When I was playing outfield I had some balls hit to me," Stimart joked. "But no, I don't hit. Yet I have touched the ball."

The Lady Chargers enjoyed their first play day of the season and won three of four mini-games. Playing in District 7-AA, they have realistic expectations for the season.

"We're strong in the talent pool," Gray said. "We have moved all the eighth- and ninth-graders to the varsity. It should be fun."

Contact David Uchiyama at UchSports@gmail.com.

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