LATTA LADY PANTHERS SLOW-PITCH SOFTBALL
Coach: Jeremy Bates
OUTLOOK
“We only lost two starters from our State Tournament team from last year, so we are going into the season with high expectations,” said head coach Jeremy Bates. “We have a good mix of power, speed and exceptional defense that gives us the ability to be one of the top teams in our class.”
At the center of Latta’s loaded lineup stands junior Rylee Jones, the team’s returning offensive powerhouse. “Junior Rylee Jones led our team in ’25 in virtually every offensive category,” Bates said. “She will once again be the hitter that other teams will fear at the plate.” With her dominance across the board last season, Jones gives the Panthers the table-setter and run-producer every championship-caliber team needs as they aim to return to state contention.
Freshman Kelbi Williams burst onto the scene last fall and enters slow-pitch as the underclassman to watch with ice in her veins. “Freshman Kelbi Williams stepped in for us in fast pitch as our top hitter on the season,” Bates said. “You rarely see a freshman that can handle big situations from the beginning, but she looked like a veteran out there handling anything that was thrown at her. I don’t see any reason why that will change in slow pitch.” Williams’ poise in pressure-packed at-bats positions her as a lineup cornerstone for years to come.
Latta’s depth shines through its veteran contributors, starting with senior Audrey Forshay, the ultimate utility weapon. “Audrey Forshay… The ultimate utility player!” Bates said. “Middle of the lineup kid that is consistent at the plate and drives in runs with power to all fields.”
Junior Jayse Smith anchors the infield with unmatched instincts at shortstop. “Jayse Smith… Great instincts at SS that makes plays no one else can!” Bates said. “She is one of the smartest kids I’ve ever coached when it comes to seeing the game. She understands the game like a coach on the field.”
Senior Stacie Williams transitions from dangerous bench bat to everyday force. “Stacie Williams… Stacie was our big bat off the bench coming in second on the team in HR as a pinch hitter,” Bates said. “She had 20 hits in 34 ABs and 9 of those were HRs. She will get her chance to be an everyday hitter in the middle of our lineup this spring. I foresee a big season for her!”
With Jones’ feared bat, Williams’ clutch freshman emergence, and battle-tested contributors like Forshay, Smith, and Stacie Williams providing power, smarts, and versatility, Bates’ state-tournament-tested Panthers carry sky-high expectations into spring. This complete roster blends firepower, speed, and shutdown defense to dominate district play and chase hardware.
