UNION REDHAWKS

Coach: COURTNEY GIRTY

OUTLOOK

With a combined 22 freshmen and sophomores on its roster, Union will be extremely young, but not short on experience in 2023 under head coach Courtney Girty.

The Redhawks went 9-28 last season. “This year we will have a team that is very young, but there will also be experience,” Girty said. There will be 11 sophomores and 11 freshmen. Last year, we started two of those sophomores and five of them were on varsity. Last year, we got better and better as the season went on, and that is what makes us excited about this coming year.”

Lily Hance, a VYPE Top 100 nominee, will be counted on for leadership as a senior outfielder. “Lily is one of the team leaders this year. She will be starting in center field and may have to be used in the circle,” Girty said. “She has started all of her years here at Union and will now be a senior. She will be one to watch in the outfield. Her defense is as good as they come and her leadership is what commands our outfield.”

Joining Hance in the outfield is Kat Gipson, who earned all-district honors and hit over .400 in 2022. “[Kat] will be our leadoff [hitter in the lineup] this year and has a glove that is a gem in the outfield,” Girty said. “She will also get time in the circle, which makes her a triple threat for us.”

Estreyah Ramirez is a returning starter at catcher. The sophomore-to-be will bat in the middle of the lineup. “[Estreyah] is your quiet leader whom everyone turns to even though she is young. She will be in the middle of our lineup and will contribute tremendously behind the plate,” Girty said.

Also back after starting as a freshman is first baseman Lily Taylor. “[Lily] will be in the cleanup spot because she can rake offensively. She has dug us out many times with her bat and her glove at first,” Girty said.

Jocelyn Williams will contribute as well. “Jocelyn is a kid everyone wants on their team. She is the quiet starter who performs on the field and in the classroom,” Girty said.