By John Henson
Sports Writer
Led by one of the state’s top pitchers in junior left-hander Rachel Howard, the Pineville Lady Lions know they will be in just about every game this season, as they were a year ago when they posted a 14-10 record.
Second-year coach Robert Daniels and the Lady Lions suffered a 3-2 loss to Lynn Camp in the 51st District finals and then a 4-3 loss to Corbin in the 13th Region Tournament’s opening round. The Lady Lions fell 9-6 in nine innings to Jackson County in the All “A” Classic regional finals.
Those heartbreaking losses in big games a year ago have made the Lady Lions even more determined to break through this year.
Leadoff hitter Nadine Johnson was the only graduation loss, which means Pineville brings back a veteran squad this spring. This could be the best team in school history if everything comes together.
“I’ve been in Pineville my whole life, and I think it may be,” Daniels said. “They are hungry. We lost some tough one-run games last year, and our girls went right to work when it was over.”
With Howard, the Lady Lions know they can compete with anyone. She posted a 13-7 mark a year ago with seven shutouts, a 1.06 earned run average and a whopping 327 strikeouts in 145 innings. She’s closing in on a state strikeout record.
“I may be biased a little bit, but I feel I have the best pitcher in the region,” Daniels said. “She’s close to breaking the state strikeout record. She has two more years left and has gained some speed. LMU has offered her, and she really likes LMU. She has a pitching coach she’s working with. She trusts the girls behind her, and they rely on her a lot. I rely on her a lot.”
Howard is also the team’s top hitter with a .475 average last year with 15 RBI and 29 hits.
“She can really hit the ball,” Daniels said. “She’s a gamer.”
Addison Slone, a senior, will again be Howard’s batterymate at catcher after hitting .305 last year with 12 RBI and 18 hits.
“She hits the ball real well and will probably bat third or fourth,” Daniels said.
Baleigh Bargo-Vaughn, a senior shortstop, is a leader on both offense and defense. She posted a .370 average last year with 20 hits and 18 stolen bases.
“We’ve been in there all winter working and she’s there every day,” Daniels said. “She’s a gamer. She always shows up when it’s game time.”
Monica Whitehead, a sophomore, is a key defender for the Lady Lions at second base. She hit .268 last season with 11 hits.
“She’s so athletic. With Rachel pitching, 90 percent of the balls are going to right field,” Daniels said. “So, we want her at second base.”
Kameran Evans gives the Lady Lions a speed threat in the lineup and plays third base. She was successful on 16 of 17 steal attempts. She added eight hits with a .108 average. Smith could also see action at third.
“She struggled hitting last year, but I’ve added Robbie Landrum to my coaching staff, and he’s worked with the girls over the winter on hitting,” Daniels said. “He’s done a great job with the girls.”
Isabella Adams and Malley Smith, both juniors, are expected to share time at first base. Adams hit .246 last year with 15 hits. Smith hit .205 with nine hits.
“If I started tomorrow, I don’t know who I’d start there,” Daniels said. “They are both working hard.”
Rayanna Maiden, a sophomore who ranked third on the team last year in hitting at .377 with 23 hits and 21 stolen bases, could shift from left to replace Johnson in center and will move up a spot in the order to hit leadoff. Maiden will also see action at catcher with Slone rotating to third on occasion.
“She has a good stick and is really athletic and fast. If she gets on base, I feel comfortable in her scoring,” Daniels said.
Daniels said there are several candidates to round out the outfield, including eighth-grader Kaylee Evans and freshman Jaycee Caldwell. Ava Arnett, a senior volleyball and basketball standout, could also play a big role in the outfield and as a runner.
Improved defense is a focus this season as the Lady Lions try to reverse the outcomes of their hard-fought losses in tournament play.
“Errors have hurt us the last couple of years,” Daniels said. “We know there are some other good teams again this year, but we feel we’re right in the mix for both the All “A” and district.”

PINEVILLE SCHEDULE

DATE	OPPONENT	SITE	SCORE				STATS?
Tue, Mar 18, 25	Berea	away					6:00 PM		⇄
Sat, Mar 22, 25	Cumberland Gap, TN	home					11:00 AM	Pineville Hs – Round Robin Border Classic
Sat, Mar 22, 25	Thomas Walker (Ewing), VA	home					3:00 PM	Pineville Hs – Round Robin Border Classic
Mon, Mar 24, 25	Middlesboro	home					6:00 PM		⇄
Thu, Mar 27, 25	Barbourville	home					6:00 PM		⇄
Fri, Mar 28, 25	Williamsburg	away					6:00 PM		⇄
Tue, Apr 8, 25	TBA	home					6:00 PM
Tue, Apr 8, 25	Harlan	home					6:00 PM		⇄
Thu, Apr 10, 25	Knox Central	away					6:00 PM		⇄
Tue, Apr 15, 25	Model	home					6:30 PM		⇄
Thu, Apr 17, 25	Thomas Walker (Ewing), VA	home					6:00 PM
Sat, Apr 19, 25	Hazard	away					11:00 AM		⇄
Mon, Apr 21, 25	Thomas Walker (Ewing), VA	at Thomas Walker					6:00 PM
Tue, Apr 22, 25	Barbourville	away					6:00 PM		⇄
Thu, Apr 24, 25	Clay County	home					6:00 PM		⇄
Fri, Apr 25, 25	South Laurel	away					6:00 PM		⇄
Mon, Apr 28, 25	Williamsburg	home					6:00 PM		⇄
Tue, Apr 29, 25	Leslie County	away					6:00 PM		⇄
Thu, May 1, 25	Berea	home					6:30 PM		⇄
Fri, May 2, 25	McCreary Central	away					6:30 PM		⇄
Thu, May 8, 25	Lynn Camp	home					6:00 PM		⇄
Sat, May 10, 25	Leslie County	home					11:00 AM	3 Game Round Robin @ Pineville Softball Diamond	⇄
Sat, May 10, 25	Wayne County	home					3:00 PM	3 Game Round Robin @ Pineville Softball Diamond	⇄
Mon, May 12, 25	Clay County	away					6:00 PM		⇄
Tue, May 13, 25	Corbin	away					6:00 PM		⇄
Thu, May 15, 25	Middlesboro	away					5:30 PM		⇄
Fri, May 16, 25	Whitley County	away					6:00 PM		⇄