No. 23/24 Tennessee boasts its most experienced group around the horn. The infield includes just one newcomer and will be stacked with upperclassmen – three seniors, one junior – and a sophomore class that got significant playing time in 2020.
Redshirt senior Chelsea Seggern headlines the group. Recently named to the 2021 Preseason All-SEC Team, Seggern returns as the Lady Vols most explosive infielder on both sides of the balls. Last season, Seggern played in the middle infield initially at shortstop before moving over to second base. The move proved lucrative as she helped turn 14 of UT’s 17 double plays, which ranked second in the nation.
Seggern individually ranked sixth in the nation in hit-by-pitches per game (0.47) after being pegged nine times at the plate and moved to seventh all-time in career HBP (28). The Thrall, Texas, native also ranked 18th in the nation with a .560 on-base percentage and tied for 37th with a .863 slugging percentage. Seggern also co-led the Lady Vols with a .403 overall batting average, seven doubles and a pair of triples, recording 25 hits along with junior catcher Ally Shipman.
“Chelsea has started every game since she arrived on campus and provides great veteran leadership at third base,” said co-head coach Karen Weekly. “She is one of our captains. Her energy and passion for the game are infectious. She was leading our team in several offensive categories when the season ended in 2020.”
Seggern will be moving to the hot corner this season and will be backed up by sophomore KK McCrary (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), who appeared in 17 games last season, making 12 starts.
“KK is slated to start at DP, but will provide valuable depth at third base,” Weekly said. “She really dedicated herself to improving her defense in the off season and it shows. She loves to hit; she has game breaking power and is one of the most confident hitters we’ve coached.”
McCrary went yard twice in her freshman campaign and found herself in the heart of the lineup with a .259 batting average, which was the highest among UT’s freshman class last season.
First base will be occupied by senior Ashley Morgan (Douglasville, Ga.), who finished with a career-best .310 hitting percentage last season. Morgan helped turn eight double plays and was walked nine times, the second most on the team.
“Ashley has been a vacuum at first for three years,” said Weekly. “She’s one of the best defensive first baseman we’ve ever coached. A player like Ashley gives the rest of the infield tremendous confidence. She’s also swinging the bat as well as she has at any point in her career.”
Sophomore Madison Webber (Sevierville, Tenn.) will back up Morgan at the corner and also appear in the outfield. Webber appeared in 14 contests, including nine starts at first base. She finished the year with a .222 hitting clip and added six hits, two runs and five RBIs to the ledger.
“Maddie will back-up first base and play outfield for us,” Weekly said. “She will also be key in a pinch-hitting role. She is a very good situational hitter. Her barrel control makes her a good option for a bunt, slap, hit and run, sacrifice fly – she can do it all.”
The middle infield will be operated by a pair of west coasters in newcomer Ivy Davis (Huntington Beach, Calif.), who transferred from powerhouse Arizona, and Kaitlin Parsons (Long Beach, Calif.). Davis, who made 21 starts at first base for the Wildcats, will be the starting shortstop, while junior Parsons will be responsible for second base. Parsons, who hit .300 last season, was perfect at pilfering bases in 2020 going 7-for-7.
“KP has incredible quickness and range, and makes ESPN-worthy plays for us,” said Weekly. “She’s one of the hardest workers on the team. Her speed and offensive versatility will be huge in our lineup.”
And though Davis is a newcomer to the SEC, her Pac-12 experience has impressed throughout fall ball and practice. She is coming off of her best season after recording a .305 hitting clip and found herself at the bottom of the lineup for Arizona.
“Ivy may be new to the Lady Vols, but she is an experienced and seasoned softball player,” Weekly said. “Her fielding skills are elite – she makes plays and throws you see from a high-level shortstop. She will hit in the middle of the order and be a very steady, high average producer for us.”
Rounding out the infield are sophomore Anna Fox (Columbia, Tenn.) and freshman Kaylan Cole (Newport, Tenn.). Fox will be a key back up for the middle infield after stepping in during critical moments last season. Fox was perfect on defense with a 1.000 fielding percentage at second base in 14 appearances. She made three starts and came in to pinch hit on several occasions to collect a .333 batting average.
“Anna is so steady defensively, we can always count on her to make plays behind the pitcher,” Weekly said. “She has great short game technique and really understands how to complement the offense with her skill set.”
On Cole, Weekly expects the newcomer’s inaugural campaign to be an opportunity to grow.
“Kaylan is a hard worker and is improving every day,” she said. “This is an important year for her to learn and adjust to the speed of the game at the SEC level.”
The Lady Vols open their 2021 season on Feb. 12 in Conway, S.C., against Ohio at the Kickin’ Chicken Classic.
Stay tuned for more the final position preview. Up next – outfielders.
-UT Athletics
