Trojans start season with ranking

FAIRFIELD - A veteran coach with an eclectic blend of upper and lower classmen presents a challenge for any opponent.

The Fairfield High School Trojans are that challenge.

Head coach Bob Bradfield starts his 42nd year with a record of 1,017 wins against 650 losses.

'We have nine returning starters from last year's conference championship team so experience will be a strength,” Bradfield said. The Trojans were 22-19 last season but 13-3 in the Southeast Conference

'The conference race is wide open,” Bradfield said. 'Burlington will be a strong addition to the conference.”

The conference race will be different this year with Burlington joining the conference. The Grayhounds are a traditionally strong program and had a 22-17 record, going 7-11 in the Mississippi Athletic Conference, which has all Class 5A teams.

The Trojans must find replacements for Ellie Baker and Blair Bowman, who graduated.

Returning starters are all-conference players Allison Rebling, a senior pitcher, and Shay Drish, a senior shortstop, sophomore first baseman Hanna Simpson and freshman left fielder and pitcher Coty Engle. Senior second baseman Destiny Gridley was a second team pick.

Other returning letterwinners are sophomores Jenna Norris, catcher and third base, sophomore outfielders Danielle Breen and Delaney Breen and freshman catcher and third baseman Peyton McCabe.

Junior Bailey Hird, sophomore Brynley Allison and freshman Emersyn Manley will be counted on for key contributions this season.

Last year, Hannah Simpson led the league in batting average at .475 and was second in runs batted in with 33.

Allison Rebling was fifth in earned run average at 2.62. She recorded 13 wins and teammate Coty Engle had nine. Engle did not lose a conference game last year.

Rebling struck out 220 batters, 117 more than second place. Opponents batted just .131 against her, best in the league. Shaylin Drish and Engle tied for third in the league with 37 runs scored. Simpson and Engle tied for the league lead in doubles with 11.

Is there a key to the season, one thing that must happen for success?

'There is no one thing that has to happen,” Bradfield said. 'I just want us to play up to our ability each night out.”

Bradfield is not concerned with the guidelines that the Iowa Girls High School Association has issued about dealing with the coronavirus.

'The covid stipulations are doable,” he said.