With Tennessee's high school spring sports season wiped out last year by the COVID-19 pandemic, softball players are among the athletes undoubtedly excited about Monday, the first day for TSSAA contests in that sport in 2021 as well as baseball, soccer, tennis and track and field.
Some of those same softball players might not be so eager to step to the plate with Baylor's Syd Berzon in the pitching circle.
The last time high school opponents faced Berzon was when she was a freshman, albeit one of the best in the country. Now the prodigy is a junior who's eager to help the Lady Red Raiders continue their dynasty by winning a sixth straight Division II-AA state championship.
A native of Buffalo, New York, who has committed to LSU, Berzon was a star two years ago as she struck out 240 batters and posted a 0.75 ERA to help Baylor go 39-4 and win the program's 13th state title overall. The challenge for opposing hitters will be even tougher against the towering right-hander whose makeup is even more complete despite not getting to play school ball last season.
"I was clocked at 70 miles per hour the other day," said Berzon, who is ranked by MaxPreps.com as the No. 8 junior in the country. "I have also really improved with my riseball, which I think will get more swing and missed now than popups. I am also more mature, and I think that will help me become more dominant in the circle, to go along with my increased speed and extra spin."
Baylor coach Kelly Smith said she has never seen another pitcher throwing as hard as Berzon is in high school. A fastball coming in at 70 mph from a softball pitcher 43 feet away is comparative to a 98 mph fastball in baseball.
In addition to her riseball, Berzon can attack hitters with a two-seamer, changeup and a curveball, all of which she has solid command over.
"Syd is spinning the ball even better," Smith said. "Really the way she changes speeds, hits locations and spins it along with her velocity, that's what makes her really special in the high school game."
Berzon's bat will also be a big part of the lineup, along with five-year starter Acelynn Sellers, a University of Tennessee at Chattanooga signee who can play at shortstop, pitcher and catcher.
Berzon said the team is deep and has 16 players who can all go out on the field and have success. The flamethrower has goals to reach close to 300 strikeouts this season and surpass her seven home runs hit as a freshman.
"When Syd takes batting practice, we take an empty bucket and stand on the other side of the fence," Smith said. "The other day I was throwing to her, she hit nine in a row out. She and all of our girls have worked hard and are ready to play."
Staff file photo by Robin Rudd / Baylor junior pitcher Sydney Berzon has committed to LSU and hopes to help the Lady Red Raiders keep their streak of consecutive state championships going this spring.OTHERS TO WATCH THIS SPRING
Softball
Ella Edgmon (Sequatchie County, senior): She was a perfect 55-for-55 in the stolen base department as a sophomore two years ago. The Georgia Tech signee had 36 extra-base hits in 134 at-bats in 2019 as the Lady Indians reached the state's final four.
Hope Ingle (Soddy-Daisy, senior): A Cleveland State signee, she is a .430 career hitter with 15 home runs, and the Lady Trojans will also get a boost from Lee University signee Javaria Smith.
Bailee Phillips (Red Bank, senior): Another Cleveland State signee, she's a threat to hit .500 with double-digit homers and is also the Lady Lions' ace pitcher.
Baseball
Jay Dill (Baylor, senior): The Missouri signee has added to his pitch repertoire since making a big impact as a sophomore. Dill has touched 94 mph and looks to be the workhorse for the nationally ranked Red Raiders.
Keaton Ray (Rhea County, senior): The left-handed slugger, who has signed with Virginia Tech, hit .425 with seven homers as a sophomore.
Andrew Ronne (McMinn County, senior): The East Tennessee State signee who can touch 90 mph on the mound is a key part of a talented Cherokees roster.
Soccer
David Danquah (Baylor, junior): Danquah's speed, dribbling and striking ability all stand out, and he's already committed to North Carolina.
Josiah Tillett (Red Bank): He's a standout center midfielder for the Lions, and along with goalkeeper Jake Wright, he's part of the reason they're expected to have a strong defense.
Gui Vivaldini (McCallie, senior): The North Carolina commitment scored 20 goals and added 10 assists to help the Blue Tornado win a state championship their last time on the field in 2019.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.