Softball Schedule Softball Roster Softball Stats
Area Softball Leaders
Stats through April 14
Stolen Bases
1) Jessica Morgan - 29
Pitching(min. 30 innings)
1) Taylor Baird W-L: 13-5, IP: 132.0, ER:22, ERA: 1.17
Strikeouts
1) Taylor Baird
Lady Owls' Kelley set for Eagles
Ooltewah High School senior Sara Kelley signed scholarship papers Friday morning to continue her softball career at Carson-Newman College.
Kelley said she visited the campus in Jefferson City on Oct. 24 and was sold. It helped that Lady Eagles assistant Lisa Rogers had coached Kelley in summer ball before.
"It was a good atmosphere and the team chemistry was great," Kelley said. "It's also a Christian school, and that had a lot to do with it. I knew it was what I wanted."
Ooltewah coach Norma Nelson used Kelley as a designated hitter her sophomore year, when the Lady Owls won the Class AAA state title. Last year she played third base and batted .398 with 12 extra-base hits and 25 RBIs.
Nelson said she may play Kelley at shortstop this spring.
"She's hit the ball better each year," Nelson said. "She's a pretty good contact hitter that's got some power, too."
Nelson said she thinks Kelley has the ability to play right away at Carson-Newman. Kelley went 17-for-20, most of them extra-base hits, for the Tennessee Fury in the ASA 16-under A national tournament last summer.
"I think they're getting a great prospect," Nelson said.
2008 AAA STATE CHAMPIONS
2008 Sectional Champions
2008 Region 3-AAA Champions
2008 District 6-AAA Tournament Champions
2008 District 6-AAA Season Champions 
LADY OWLS GET TO HOOT!!!!
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — They did it for themselves. They did it for their coach. And they did it for all those that toiled in a Lady Owls softball uniform the last 16 years. Ooltewah validated its No. 18 national ranking in two high school polls by capping off its season with a 6-1 victory over Beech in the Class AAA state final.
Catcher Kaitlin Neil had gone 0-for-the-tournament before delivering an RBI single in the fifth inning that broke a tie, brought in another run when the hit was misplayed and started the Lady Owls toward a five-run rally. “Mainly we wanted it for ourseleves,” Neil said. “We knew Coach (Norma) Nelson would be proud of us, too. I saw there were a bunch of former players here tonight. I know they’re happy and wanted to see us win it, too.”
Nelson was an assistant coach to Jim Lovell when Ooltewah won titles in 1990 and ’92. She no longer has her rings because of a house fire in August. “I know this feeling,” Nelson said. “It’s been a while. The thing is my rings burned up in the fire. Now I can get me a new one.”
Winning pitcher Holly Thomas did not allow an earned run in four tournament games. She pitched a four-hitter with three walks and seven strikeouts. “Every year has been such a joy at Ooltewah,” Thomas said. “We all get along so well. We have outstanding team chemistry. Sometimes that can mean more than talent on the field.”
Ooltewah’s Jessica Chernak doubled to left-center with one out in the first inning and scored the first run when Thomas grounded a hard single into right field and the hit was bobbled. Junior leadoff batter Kristin Whitmire went 2-for-4 and scored the tiebreaking run for Ooltewah (46-3-1). In addition to the battery of Thomas and Neil, Ooltewah’s other seniors are Tabitha Farrow, Linley Gannon, Morgan Shelton and Lexie Whittenburg.
“It topped everything,” Thomas said. “It was a big way for us five seniors to go out.
