Coach: KEELY HALLMAN
22-12
OUTLOOK
With no senior graduation losses and a talented group of incoming freshmen, the Porum Panthers are looking to get past the district playoffs in 2025, and coach Keely Hallman is pretty excited about the prospects. “We only had 10 players last year so we didn’t have much depth but all of them are back plus eight freshmen who bring a lot of travel ball experience, so we’ll be able to cultivate that depth and we’ll have at least six players who can give us time in the circle,” said Hallman who’s going into her ninth year in charge of the Panthers. Among the returning players, the most notable is probably senior Mesa Coulston. “Mesa is a great all-around player who can play multiple infield positions for us and hold her own in the circle. She has great plate presence and is almost always guaranteed to get a hit or move runners when it’s needed. And she’s just as good person off the field as she is an athlete on the field,” said Hallman. Other seniors returning to the diamond for Porum are Leia Johnson, a four-year starter who can pitch, catch or play third base. “You can put Leia anywhere on the field and she’ll be the best player in that position,” said Hallman. Also returning is senior pitcher Jaelyn Smith. Among the eight incoming new faces, Hallman expects at least three of them to make an immediate impact starting with her daughter Jayci. “She has speed, a great bat and an arm that can compete with the best of them. She’s a two-time USSSA All-American in centerfield and shortstop,” said coach/mom. Railey Tillery is another freshman expected to see action. She has a great softball IQ and is a lock down defender in the dirt. Also among that freshman group is J.J. Callison who will start at catcher. “I think we’ll have one of the best defenses maybe in the state and with a new weight room that the girls have been using, I’m seeing more power for the offense so far,” said Hallman.
