CBA freshmen make immediate impact

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on June 4, 2014 1:46 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- New to the team, but undoubtedly familiar -- and respectful -- of the softball program's tradition, Charles B. Aycock's latest of crop of freshmen have performed like veterans this spring.

So much for an adjustment period.

And forget about the intimidation, too.

"We all played ball growing up, played against each other and with each other," freshman infielder Mackenzie Wheeler said. "When we got here, the seniors didn't treat us like they were better, they treated us like we were part of the team. That made me feel like I'm not just a freshman, but part of a family."

A family that's on a mission.

The Golden Falcons (21-3 overall) and Sun Valley launch their best-of-three series Friday to determine the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A state champion. First pitch is 7 p.m. at Walnut Creek in Raleigh.

A second game is Saturday at 11 a.m. An "if" game follows at 2 p.m.

Second-year CBA head coach -- and alum -- Emily Burke hoped she wouldn't encounter the struggles of 2013. The team just didn't seem to mesh well and endured an uncharacteristic opening-round playoff defeat.

Those worries disappeared the first day of practice this past February. In bone-chilling temperatures, Burke immediately noticed how the returning players bonded with the newcomers -- Wheeler, Connor Vinson, Allison Shingleton, Michaela Thompson and Taylor Waddell.

"They just fell right in and clicked," a smiling Burke said. "Seeing something like that was surprising to everybody. The young kids, a lot of times when they come through, they're timid and you see that grit on the softball field like you do with seniors.

"These freshmen are just like that already."

Some fear factor.

Vinson leads the team in runs scored (31) and ranks second in stolen bases with 12 -- four less than senior captain Cierra Harris, who has been CBA's top base thief each of the past two seasons. Shingleton has cranked out 23 hits, plated 13 runs and swiped four bases of her own.

Wheeler is batting a crisp .360 with 28 runs scored, 27 hits and 29 RBI. She is one of five Golden Falcons who have drawn six or more walks this season. Waddell is hitting a cool .450, but has also been effective inside the pitcher's circle. She's compiled a team-low 1.31 earned run average in 11 appearances.

Thompson hasn't seen much playing time on the diamond, but is third in slugging percentage (.666) behind senior Meredith Burroughs (1.260) and Keeley Fulghum (.820).

"They're not scared of anybody that comes up to that plate or pitches to them, they're confident in themselves," Burke said. "That's surprising for kids this age, period. There are usually some insecurities, but not on this ballfield. The age difference has kind of shortened maturity-wise.

"These girls are very comfortable with each other."

Just like a family should be.