Gibbs softball team looks formidable in return to Class AA

Some said Gibbs would meet its match when the nine-time state softball champs moved up from Class AA to AAA in 2014.

Even longtime Lady Eagles coach Carol Mitchell voiced doubts about the step up in competition at the time.

“Our goal was not to get embarrassed,” said Mitchell with a laugh.

Instead, the Lady Eagles didn’t miss a beat over the last four years, winning the 2017 state championship over Powell and posting a sterling 169-32-3 record.

Gibbs qualified for the state tournament in three of its four seasons in Class AAA, and added a second-place finish to Dickson County in 2014.

But with another reclassification shuffle by the TSSAA, the Lady Eagles return to Class AA this season.

Looking back, Mitchell said she’s proud of the way her girls responded to the challenge of playing in Class AAA.

“When we moved up four years ago to triple-A, we kind of took it upon ourselves as a challenge,” she explained. “The kids really amped up their work ethic and mindset of how they approached the offseason and their workouts. It kind of snowballed from there every year.”

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Of course, Mitchell added, it helped to have some top-tier talent on hand.

“Our teams we’ve had the last four years have probably been some of the best Gibbs teams since before 2000,” said Mitchell.

The Lady Eagles, who return five starters from a year ago, are picked as prohibitive favorites by some to win the state title in their return to Class AA.

Mitchell, who begins her 25th season with an 832-258-4 all-time record at Gibbs, said it won’t be that easy.

“I don’t look at going from Class AAA to AA as a demotion. I look at it as another challenge. We haven’t seen any of these teams in four years.”

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The conversation about Gibbs starts with four-year starters Olivia Wheeler and Sierra Hucklebee. Mitchell calls them the cornerstones of the team.

“Everything we do to challenge those (two) kids, they want more,” she offered. “You’re talking about players who are all out all the time and have their game face on 100 percent of the time.”

Wheeler, who will play third base and center field, blasted a team-high 13 home runs last season. She batted .400, scored 54 runs and had 57 RBIs as Gibbs finished 43-9-1.

Hucklebee, who moves to shortstop, batted .500, drove in 66 runs and scored 56 runs.

The Lady Eagles also return their No. 1 pitcher in junior Rayna Pendleton, who is coming off a 33-7 season with a 1.90 ERA.

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“Rayna did a really good job last year and she’s improved and looked good in preseason. She’s not going to overpower you with her speed, but her location is incredible. She can nail her placement of the ball.”

Junior Kennedy Henry (10-2, 1.52 ERA) will also be counted on to handle pitching chores.

Gibbs also brings back Macey Hughes, who last season became the first player under Mitchell to earn freshman All-American accolades.

Hughes drove in a team-high 71 runs, batting .417 and scoring 64 times.

She was at her best in the postseason, earning MVP honors in the district tournament and connecting on four home runs in the state tournament.

“Macey is just a competitor,” said Mitchell. “She’s one of those kids who will not let you get the best of her.”

Senior outfielder Kayley Kern returns for her third year as a starter after posting a .408 batting average with nine home runs and 48 RBIs last season.

Mitchell said the Lady Eagles have most of the pieces they need to go after state title No. 11. “We just have to put it all together and make it work,” she said.

“The talent is there.”