Gaston College's softball team overcame early-season adversity to pursue Region 10 title

When Gaston College's softball team started the season with a 4-2 record through mid-February, expectations were high for a solid season.

Especially after going 4-16 as a club team in the Rhinos' inaugural season the year before.

But then fate intervened as shortstop Jailyn Tineo suffered a season-ending injury in a practice session.

Gaston College coach Mike Steuerwald openly wondered how his team would overcome the talents of arguably his best all-around talent.

He had good reason as Tineo was off to a good start with a .353 batting average, two doubles, one home run and five RBIs in addition to making just one error at shortstop in 25 chances.

What would Steuerwald do without her?

While the team and its coaching staff were disappointed with the loss of a talented player, they all knew they had a long season left to play.

And play they did. And play and play and play.

Former South Point High standout Asheton Queen was moved to shortstop to replace Tineo. And while losing Tineo's bat in the lineup robbed the team of a power hitter and defensive standout, other players have stepped up time and again and fill the void left.

Brantleigh Parrott emerged as a pitching ace in addition to shining offensively.

Others, like first baseman Serena Yalich, second baseman Logan Lilly, third baseman Haylee Salter, outfielder Gabrielle Porterfield, catcher Gracie Brown, outfielder Grace Manning, outfielder McKenzie Plaskin and pitchers Tessa Hunt and Amiya Tomlinson have all stepped up and collectively filled the on-field role Tineo had already started taking.

And entering Friday's home doubleheader against USC Sumter, the Rhinos have a 34-6 overall record, 11-1 Region 10 record and a 11-game winning streak.

More importantly, Gaston College is one win away from a regular season championship.

"It's really amazing," Parrott said. "We didn't know what to expect but we came out here and practiced hard every day and it's showing on the field. When J was first hurt, we were all freaking out and didn't know what to do.
"But we practiced and played hard together."

Have they ever.

Parrott has led the way offensively and defensively as she is hitting .489 with two home runs, 17 stolen bases and 47 RBIs and on the mound she has a 17-0 record with three saves, 0.39 ERA and 216 strikeouts while yielding 43 hits and 14 walks in 107 2-3 innings.

Other standouts have been Queen (.401 batting average, three home runs, 25 stolen bases, 27 RBIs), Lilly (.341 batting average, 27 RBIs), Salter (.330 batting average, two home run, 16 RBIs), Yalich (.322 batting average, four home runs, 39 RBIs), Porterfield (.303 batting average, 30 stolen bases, 26 RBIs), Hunt (8-3 pitching record, 1 save) and Tomlinson (7-3 pitching record).

"Every day is like someone new finding a way or stepping up," Steuerwald said. "It's just been fun because you just never know who's going to come up with the big hit, who's going to make a key baserunning play.
"I think this group really bought in after that happened (with Tineo) and came together even more.
"Not that they weren't a close group before but they bought in even more. And losing J made a few other people step up in some leadership roles because J was such a good leader."

Even though she's not playing, Tineo is still involved. She's been around for practices and games cheering, leading and exhorting her teammates to the success they've achieved.

"She's still a big part of our team," Parrott said. "Her cheering on the bench and hyping us up is a huge part of our success."

Steuerwald and the team will honor Tineo and three others on "Sophomore Day" prior to Friday's opener; The others to be honored are Queen, Plaskin and Yalich.

"J gets out here when they're stretching and warming up," Steuerwald said. "She's very vocal in the dugout. She's doing a great job. I know for her that it has to be frustrating because she just wants to play the game. So I'm sure it's tough for her to not physically be involved in it. But she still does a lot of things that help our team.
"She's been a big piece of it even though she's not been on the field."