Piedmont softball trying to fill ‘really big shoes’ from 2022 Class 5A championship squad

YUKON — For a softball team with heightened expectations, there sure are a lot of new faces.

Piedmont graduated each of its infield starters from its back-to-back Class 5A state championship squads. Through the early part of this season, a hungry, talented group of players have emerged, eager to capitalize on an expanded role from last season and uphold the standard that was set before them.

"We're getting better," Piedmont coach Keith Coleman said after the Wildcats routed Yukon in five innings, 20-4, in a fastpitch game Tuesday night at Yukon High School. "We have got a lot of young kids without a lot of experience on the infield for us. I kind of feel like we are a team that is going to get better as we go. We're starting a different kid on every infield position this year than last year. We'll get better as we go. Kids are playing hard. They are a fun group, they practice well, they are coachable and they are good kids."

No player for Piedmont (13-1) has a bigger infield challenge to meet than Addison Cassady. Tasked with taking command of the shortstop position after the graduation of two-time Gatorade state softball player of the year Karissa Fiegener, Cassady has thrived. Against Yukon, the junior posted three hits – including a home run – scored four runs and drove in five.

"They are really big shoes to fill," Cassady said. "But I am trying my hardest to be just like her. Hitting good hits, fielding good defensive plays, and I have watched her when I was a sophomore and a freshman just make all these plays and I am just trying to be as good as her, if not better."

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During Piedmont's 10-run fourth inning explosion, Cassady homered, doubled and drove in four runs. After she played more of a utility role off the bench last season and saw time at three of the four infield positions, Cassady's return to full-time duty at shortstop is a natural fit from her youth softball days.

"When I was younger, I always played shortstop," Cassady said. "And then I moved over to third, but then they put me back at shortstop and I just rolled with it."

Another versatile utility player from last season that has seemingly found a permanent home is sophomore Ashlyn Emmert, who has grabbed hold of the third base position after the graduation of Tayvin Davis.

"I spent a lot of my time last year watching the seniors play and figuring out what they do to be good," Emmert said. "I really took that into consideration to watch Tayvin last year and fill in her spot this year."

Emmert reached base four times, scored three runs, drove in three and hit her first home run of the season that gave the Wildcats an early 3-0 lead in the second inning.

"All I heard was (Piedmont assistant head) coach (Coleman) Hughes in my head telling me to get the bat out and the barrel out," Emmert said with a laugh.

Rounding out the Piedmont infield is junior Catie Meyer at second base, senior Paislee Clark at first and junior Taybor Moss behind the plate.

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"We have got to get better on defense," Coleman said. "We have proven that offensively we can go. We have proven that defensively, we can struggle a little bit. And that is due to inexperience. We are trying to replace a third baseman and a shortstop and a catcher that were all three and four-year starters for us. ... We are just inexperienced on the infield right now. We're getting better as we go."

Piedmont followed up its 10-run fourth inning with seven more in the fifth, capped by a grand slam from pinch-hitter Dakota Schickedanz.

Clark totaled three hits, three runs, four RBIs and a home run. In the circle, senior Payten Schibbelhute – the staff ace of both state championship teams – continues to work her way back from an injury sustained over the summer. She allowed eight hits and four runs in five innings with three strikeouts against the Millers.

"She's a kid that we have a lot of confidence in," Coleman said. "She is just kind of getting back in the flow right now."

The target that comes with winning the last two state championships is not something Piedmont has discussed. While Coleman admits that last year's group did experience strain to repeat and defend its 2021 crown – which it did successfully – the 2023 team is not feeling the same pressure.

"I know tonight we played really well, but we're not good enough right now to win it. We have got to get better as we go, and our kids understand that. We've got a lot of room for improvement on this team."

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Piedmont vs. Yukon softball: Offense powers Wildcats rout of Millers