Catchers
No battery is complete without the players behind the plate. And Tennessee is charged up about its catching lineup that will be catapulted with the return of junior Ally Shipman (Valencia, Calif.) and a pair of talented underclassmen.
Shipman has yet to play a full season on Rocky Top after the 2020 season was halted and eventually canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the 2019 season, her first season in Knoxville, was plagued by a season-ending injury – both which occurred on March 12 of their respective year. Last season, Shipman was on her way to a breakout campaign, co-leading the Lady Vols with a .403 batting clip, 25 hits, seven doubles and two triples along with infielder Chelsea Seggern. Shipman started all 23 games, predominantly behind the plate and was critical in the Lady Vols’ hard-fought Tennessee Invitational title. She tallied 12 hits in 16 at-bats for a .750 average, recording 3+ hits in three of the five outings. She also concluded that weekend with four extra-base-hits and six RBIs.
A year later those efforts did not go unnoticed as the Lady Vol has pulled in plenty of preseason recognition. Shipman was named a D1Softball Preseason All-American second team member and was ranked the No. 13 best junior in the nation and No. 37th overall best player in the country by Softball America recently.
“Ally is fully recovered from the knee injury that shortened her freshman season and much stronger after the Covid-19 layoff,” said co-head coach Ralph Weekly. “She was off to a great offensive start in 2020 when the season ended abruptly. Ally has all the tools to be one of the best catchers and hitters in the country.”
Shipman will be backed by sophomore Josie Willingham (Medon, Tenn.) and freshman Rylie West (Eastvale, Calif.). Willingham appeared in 15 games last season and contributed seven RBI, five runs and four hits, including a home run. She also stole a pair of bases in her efforts.
“Josie is tremendously athletic – she’s very quick behind the dish and has a big-time arm,” Weekly said. “Her athleticism allows her to play a lot of positions and that kind of versatility is huge, especially in a year like this with so many unknowns.”
Tennessee also hopes to get a quick boost from newcomer West, who was ranked 21st in the nation among catchers by Extra Inning Softball.
“Rylie has a high softball IQ and commands the field like a veteran,” said Weekly. ” Her intelligence translates to the plate as well, and she will be a key pinch hitter off the bench. She also provides depth in the outfield.”
The No. 23/24 Lady Vols begin the season on Feb. 12 in Conway, S.C., in a first-time matchup with UConn.
Stay tuned for more position previews. Up next – infielders.
-UT Athletcs
