SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Softball

2024 Softball Senior Spotlight

These 3 seniors have combined for 277 appearances and 169 starts over the course of their four years in Demorest. The group has led the Lions to a 97-59 record over the past four seasons, including a 31-11 mark in 2022. These 3 played key roles for the program in their 2021 USA South Championship, 2022 USA South Championship and helped the group during their NCAA tournament appearances. 

Hawkins has appeared in 13 contests, with the majority of her work coming in the circle while appearing as a pinch runner multiple times over her two years in Demorest. In 2023, Hawkins appeared twice, surrendering just 2 hits and 1 earned run. In 2024, she tossed 6.2 innings out of the pen for the Lions, surrendering 5 earned runs on three strikeouts before missing the remainder of the season due to injury. Hawks plans to graduate in the Spring of 2025 with a degree in exercise and sports science.

Callaway has appeared in 119 contests, making 21 starts in the outfield for the Lions. Starting her career as the primary pinch running option for the Lions, Callaway has worked her way to become an everyday outfielder for the Green and Gold. Making 50 putouts in her career, she currently sports a .964% fielding percentage for her career. She has also gotten it done at the dish with a career batting average of .316 while totaling 60 career runs scored. On the base paths, Callaway has stolen double digit bases every year since 2021, including 11 thus far in 2024. Hannah plans on graduating in the Spring of 2024 with a degree in Early Childhood Education.

Taylor has been a staple at first base for the Lions, appearing in 145 contests and starting all 145 of those games. She arrived in Demorest immediately making an impact, starting 35 games her freshman year and launching her first career homerun just six games into the season. Taylor posted one of the best years of her career in 2022, starting a career high 42 games while playing in every single game for Piedmont during the season. At the dish, she tied for the conference lead with 49 RBIs and blasted seven home runs, which is tied for the fourth most in Piedmont’s Division III Era. A multi-time all conference player, Taylor earned USA South West Division First Team All-Conference honors in 2021 and USA South All-Conference Honors again in 2022. During her time as a Lion, she has also gotten the job done in the classroom, being named to the CCS All-Academic Team in 2023. Kara plans to graduate in the Spring of 2024 with a degree in Early Childhood Education.