CARROLLTON, Ga. – It's now game week for UWG softball and today we look at our final position preview with a look at the pitchers and catchers of the 2023 Wolves.
 
After a season in which injuries depleted the depth of the pitching staff, first year head coach Kristy Burton has eight arms to lean on when the Wolves take the field for the first time on Friday.
 
"I think we're going to be a full staff style this whole season," said Burton. "I think they went from not a lot of pitching last year, to us having eight arms that can throw it and get the job done."
 
And with the always tough Gulf South Conference slate looming, the Wolves will look to the experience of Macy Ann McKnight to lead a pitching staff that features six newcomers. McKnight threw the third-most innings in a single-season since 2008 a year ago, tossing 142.2 innings, earning eight wins in the circle.
 
Burton has been pleased with McKnight's progression in the fall and hopes to lean on that as well as her aforementioned experience.
 
Emma Worley is the Wolves only other returner back from last season, tossing 38.0 innings as a true freshman. Camden Smith saw the gauntlet that is the GSC from the dugout as she missed all of last season with an injury, but is set for her collegiate debut this spring.
 
Burton added fifth-year pitcher Hannah Hennessy, and she brings some experience to the circle, albeit away from UWG.
 
"She's played at a few different places, and she just loves the game," Burton added. "So I think she has the leadership that we need."
 
Hennessy is a local product out of Villa Rica and most recently pitched at Lincoln University in Missouri.
 
Four freshmen are on the roster for Coach Burton, and all ur have the chance to make an immediate impact.
 
"Our freshmen have done a really good job of just coming in and saying 'Hey, let's go play ball'," Burton remarked, "So they don't have that freshmen mentality of 'Oh, I'm just a freshman, I need to sit and wait.' I think all of them are going to fight for a spot."
 
Katie Morris has been impressive in the fall and now into the spring.
 
"I think she has incredible leadership and drive behind her," Burton said of the Valley, Alabama native, "But I think Calli Hardison is going to find a way to get some opportunities."
 
Hardison is a former Region Pitcher of the Year at East Hall High School. UWG's two other freshmen are Marissa Thompson out of Plantation, Florida and Emma Ann Howard from Summerville, Georgia.
 
"Marissa and Emma Ann are fighting every day to get in there and see what they can do."
 
With the eight arms and depth, Burton is excited about what the staff can do this season.
 
"All year long I think we're going to be a staff that doesn't have the true starter, and we'll continue to rotate depending on what we need that day," Burton said. "But with this conference, I think we're blessed to have the arms that we have."
 
And of course, the pitcher has to have someone to throw to, and there's depth behind the plate as well.
 
"We definitely have a lot of depth with a lot of catchers," Burton said. "Overall the pitcher catcher relationship is good with all of our catchers, but I think right now Lauren McElhaney has the most leadership and is the most consistent at the plate."
 
Emma Bailey also saw action behind the plate last season, and Jacelyn Lahr could see some time behind the plate as well.
 
"Jacelyn is a sophomore returner for us, and she's coming in trying to fight for that spot and get back behind the plate," Burton added.
 
Lahr saw some action as a true freshman in the outfield in 2022.
 
A pair of freshmen could make an impact this season, although both are working their way back from injuries.
 
Caroline Redden and Emma Nixon are both out-of-state products and will compete for time despite being freshmen.
 
"Both of our freshmen are returning from injuries, but have done a really good job for us throughout the fall," Burton concluded, "But I wouldn't be surprised to see them fighting for a spot this spring."
 
The Wolves' first action is just four days away when they open the 2023 season in Gulf Shores, Alabama playing five games in three days.