With a 2-loss season and a 1st ever state championship in 2018, the White Knoll Lady Timberwolves varsity softball team will have a tough time defending that title this year. 
They’ll bring plenty of experience back to the field, however, with 7 of last season’s starting 9 returning, and head coach April Farr says the seniors are still motivated and hungry for more success.
“We have a big group that wants to do it again,” head coach April Farr says. “Going back for the 3rd year in a row and winning it all for the 2nd time would prove that we have a tradition here, and a program that belongs in the conversation.” 
As for how they stay motivated, she admits it will be a challenge to keep from becoming complacent.
“We worked really hard for the success we’ve had so far and that will continue to be our theme this year,” Farr says. “One game at a time, that’s the team we are. Several of my seniors have already said they want to go undefeated this time around, but that’s going to be hard with the target we now have on us from being state champs.”
To make it happen, the Lady Timberwolves return an impressive lineup of seniors headlined by pitcher Andrea Lyon, the Lexington Chronicle Softball Player of the Year in 2018 and a Gardner-Webb college commitment and  shortstop and Clemson commitment Hannah Goodwin. 
Add All-Region player Shelby Davies at second base to anchor the middle of the infield and now 9th grader Lexi Winters behind the plate at catcher for a 2nd season as a starter, and the Lady Timberwolves infield is sure to be solid. 
In the outfield, senior Libby Williams will return at center field and Bree Workman will also be a factor as a senior.
“We’ll lean on those seniors’ experience, but we’ll also have good players stepping in for starting roles so that we don’t miss a beat out there,” Farr said. “Pitching and hitting should remain our strengths.”
Farr points to the basics as the team prepares their game plan for the season.
“We do the little things to focus on becoming a team and a family, we condition in the off-season,” she said. “We’re going to focus on the basics where we might pick up some of the slack if it’s there, to make improvements where we can.”
They’ll need to be on top of their game every time out with the changes that have come to their region. Coach Farr points to Lexington and Dutch Fork, two rivals that had deep playoff runs last season, but also Chapin, which moves into Region 5-5A with a traditionally good program as well. 
“All three of those teams will be ranked high in our region and the state,”  Farr said. “At the playoff level, we’ll probably be looking at (J.F.) Byrnes again and at Ashley Ridge, both of them who were very tough last year.”
White Knoll opened the regular season with a dominating 16-0 win over Nation Ford at home. Goodwin had 3 hits and 3 RBI, Lyon also drove in 3 runs and struck out 6 in 4 scoreless innings on the mound. Following Wednesday's game at Fort Mill, it will participate in the Lady Wildcat Invitational starting Friday at Oak Grove Softball Complex.