RANDLEMAN — There have been changes involving Randleman’s softball team, but the winning ways from late last spring have continued.
The Tigers are more than halfway through their schedule with considerable success. They have their eyes on bigger prizes.
“Expectations stay the same. We’re still going at it as hard as we can,” pitcher Kinzie Ivey said. “… We’re not necessarily worrying about the wins, but we’re worrying about how we’re winning and what we’re doing to get there. It’s all building up for state playoffs and hopefully a state championship.”
Josh Ashby has taken over as interim coach of the team after serving as an assistant coach. Otherwise, the makeup of the dugout looks familiar from 2025.
“Entire team is back,” Ashby said. “We’ve got seven freshmen (who) can absolutely play. That’s the biggest thing I see is our depth.”
Ashby was put in charge of the team after coach Jeff Webster was replaced as he deals with legal issues unrelated to the softball team.
The Tigers haven’t missed a beat.
Randleman took a 13-1 record into this week. The lone loss came by 4-3 at West Forsyth on Feb. 27.
Ivey said there’s a cohesiveness among the players.
“Bonding with the team and staying together and doing our jobs with what we need to do and taking care of our roles as a team is really keeping us together,” she said.
There was another breakthrough with last week’s 12-4 home victory against Southwestern Randolph. Elsie Prince drove in four runs, Kaylee Phillips knocked in three runs and Kadie Green, Olivia Ashby and Ivey all scored two runs. Ivey pitched a complete game.
The outcome was significant because Randleman hadn’t defeated Southwestern Randolph since prior to the pandemic, marking a span of nine consecutive losses to the Cougars.
Ashby said it was a good barometer.
“We played them for years,” he said. “They’re a good ball club. It’s going to really set the needle on where we’re at as a team – mentally and physically.”
Randleman’s depth is a bonus because Ivey is no longer counted on for as many innings as a pitcher. Addyson Dees has been a strong pitcher as well and freshman Ella Rogers has done good work in the circle.
The Tigers made a mark in the 2025 postseason by reaching the Class 2A West Regional finals.
“We try not to focus on how far we made it last year,” Ashby said. “We celebrated that. Now we’re just preparing for playoffs. Each game is just preparation for the playoffs.”
There’s understandable confidence brewing among the Tigers.
“I think we have all the parts and more,” Ivey said. “Everybody knows their roles. We have plenty of girls to step up and do the part the next few years, too.”
Other results
Phillips hit a game-ending home run in Randleman’s dramatic 10-9 home victory against Reagan to end play last week. Dees drove in two runs and scored three runs.
Earlier last week, Randleman’s 13-5 victory at Western Alamance came with Phillips and Ivey smacking home runs and Green driving in three runs. Dees and Rogers handled the pitching.
** Southwestern Randolph dropped a 3-2 decision at McMichael. Losing pitcher Katelyn West struck out nine.
** Ruby Caudle drove in four runs and Adi Johnson provided two triples in Providence Grove’s 14-0 victory at Eastern Randolph. Campbell Ziemba threw the five-inning shutout.
The Patriots also pounded visiting Thomasville 16-0 with pitcher Lara Wiseman not allowing a base runner in the three-inning game. Johnson and Caudle each drove in two runs in the Central Carolina 3-A Conference game.
Providence Grove ran into trouble with a 6-3 home loss to first-place West Davidson despite Callie Lambert’s home run. Ziemba struck out seven.
** Wheatmore’s Makenna Lawrence scored two runs in a 7-6 road loss to Gray Stone Day School.
The Warriors bounced back to drill host Trinity 11-1 with Skylar Pittmas driving in three runs and Lawrence scoring two runs.
