By Sophia Riedi
The Class 1A Dixie County (Cross City) softball team is currently 9-0 in the 2021 season after ending 2020 with a 10-1 record.
According to head coach Greg Wimberley, the team hopes to “compete for the district championship and make [their] first appearance in the state playoffs since 2014.”
Their latest wins came in an 8-2 win against Union County (Lake Butler) on Thursday night and a 2-1 win at Santa Fe (Alachua) on Tuesday night.
A big match up for the Bears will take place on Friday, March 12, with the first of two meetings against the unbeaten and nationally-ranked Trenton Tigers. Both Dixie County and Trenton are undefeated so far this season.
In terms of obstacles, Coach Wimberley mentioned the Tigers’ returning pitcher Darian Ingram, an FAU signee.
“We must be able to score runs on her and that stingy Tiger defense,” he said.
On offense, Dixie County is led by senior Carmin Wimberley (.545 AVG, 12 H), sophomore Bria Hinkle (.478 AVG, 11 H), junior Juliann Smith (.400 AVG, 10 H).
Pitcher Bria Hinkle has 62 strikeouts so far this season, while Madisyn Langford has 27.
A young team, the Dixie County returns eight players. Key losses to graduation include shortstop Lori Medlin and first baseman Maddie O’Neal.
2021 Preseason Softball Outlook
School: Dixie County High School
Coach’s name: Greg Wimberley
Years as head coach: 4
2020-21 Class/District/Region: 1A District 7
2019-20 Overall Record: 10-1, loss from Lake Weir
Number of returning starters: 8 Returning Starters
Sr. – #18 Carmin Wimberley (C) Captain, .545 AVG, 12 H, 18 RBI
Jr. – #3 Juliann Smith (3rd) Captain, .400 AVG, 10 H, 4 RBI
So. – #7 Bria Hinkle (P, 2nd) Captain, .478 AVG, 11 H, 3 RBI
Jr. – #61 Madisyn Langford (P, 1st), .440 AVG, 11 H, 3 RBI
So. – #10 Peyton Hatcher (SS), .444 AVG, 8 H, 4 RBI
So. – #14 Emily Chewning (LF), .368 AVG, 7 H, 2 RBI
So. – #1 Shylee Brown (CF), .261 AVG, 6 H, 3 RBI
Jr. – #00 Kylie Osteen (RF), .300 AVG, 6 H, 1 RBI
Key losses: Lori Medlin (SS, .239 AVG, .320 OBP); Maddie O’Neal (1st, .200 AVG, .254 OBP)
Key games: 3/11– Home vs. Union County, 3/12 – Away vs. Trenton, 4/2 – Home vs. Chiefland
Outlook for 2021: “We are a young team with a lot of talent. We have to believe we are ready. We have to play as a team and do our assignments whatever it may be. We have to be willing to sacrifice for the team.” – Coach Wimberley
