FAIRLEA- The year 2024 was one to remember for the Greenbrier East Lady Spartans softball team.
A good regular season followed by a sectional title, a regional title, and a first ever trip to the state tournament, made this past season the best one in Spartan history since softball became a thing at the school in 1988.
East lost their only two games in the state tourney to University and Cabell Midland but held five run leads late in both games before losing it near the end. University was eventually crowned state champs leaving East fans wondering ‘what if.’ Still, it was a historic season for Greenbrier East at 21-11 and one that will be cherished for a long time.
The Spartans rode their path of success on the backs of five seniors: Kayla Bartley, Taylor Boswell, Lily Carola, Gracie Gumm, and Alanis McClary. Each senior was critical to the team and a huge part of the state tournament run. McClary led the team in hitting—based on at least 50 at-bats—with a .421 average. She also led the team in hits (45), triples (3), and runs scored (39). The leadoff hitter set the tone for her lineup and played her role as well as she could have imagined. She also earned the WVDN Diamond player of the week award twice throughout the season. Bartley, a Covington transfer, spent just one season in Fairlea, but was familiar with her new teammates from travel ball. That experience helped the pitcher/third baseman fit right into her new school. Bartley hit .391 with six home runs and 29 RBIs. She scored 28 runs and led the team in OPS at 1.201.
As good as she was at the plate, it was on the mound where Bartley also excelled. She tossed 109 innings, gave up just 94 hits, and struck out 165 batters. Her ERA was 1.79 and she finished with a record of 8-4.
Boswell is another senior that helped the East softball program elevate itself over the last couple years. The shortstop hit .359 and was second on the team to Bartley in slugging percentage (.602). She also had eight doubles, five home runs, a team-leading 38 RBIs, and was second on the team with 38 runs scored. Boswell recently took home the WVDN Overall Female Athlete of the Year Award, given to the school’s top female performer, and will suit up for the University of Charleston next season, a team that played in the Division-2 College World Series this year.
Perhaps the most improved player on the team—even though she was good last season as well—was Carola. The first baseman/pitcher showed numbers of .357, 13 doubles, two home runs, 29 RBIs, and 22 runs scored. On the mound, Carola pitched 83.1 innings, allowed 64 hits, had 113 strikeouts, and posted an ERA of 2.18. She finished 5-5 and was named to the All-Tournament team for her 2-game stint at the state tournament.
Gumm left her impact this year as well. The center fielder was as steady as they came defensively, and her strong throwing arm kept baserunners at bay all year. At the plate, she hit .227, but raked five doubles, a triple, had a home run, and 18 RBIs. She also scored 21 runs and stole 10 bases.
All five seniors will be sorely missed next season in Fairlea, but the Spartans also had some underclassmen that were big contributors as well.
Reagan Cline, a freshman in ’24, hit .345 (fifth on team) with two triples, six RBIs and 20 runs scored. The young outfielder may be the fastest girl to walk the East halls and her role will expand immensely next season. Hailey Ervin and Aly Martin will also return next season after good junior years. Ervin hit .320 with 32 total hits. She had five doubles, two triples, a homer, and 18 RBIs. She scored 25 runs as well and is good defensively in right field. Martin, a second baseman, hit .308 with three doubles and two triples. She drove in 15 runs and scored 14 more. Jenna Groves knocked in 13 runs and scored 10 herself and will come back next year at first base.
Other players on the roster that can return in expanded roles next year include Liz Wooding (.429 average in 14 at-bats), Madelyn Podsiadlik, Norah Ambler, Bailey Birchfield, Haley Byars (9 runs), and Haylee Heaster (18 at-bats, HR, double).
Obviously, replacing arguably the top senior class group the school has ever had will be a challenge, but head coach Aaron Ambler has established a winning culture in Fairlea and will have a solid nucleus to build around. It will be interesting to see who steps up next season as the Spartans look to progress upward and continue their winning ways into 2025 and beyond.
**Stats Courtesy of GameChanger Media**
