DCHS softball duo ranked in Top 100; reflect on careers so far

January 17, 2019 | 12:46 am

Updated January 17, 2019 | 3:50 am

Daviess County softball players Abby Newman (left) and Millie Roberts have earned national attention as underclassmen. | Photos provided

The first game of the 2019 softball season is still 60 days away, but a pair of underclassmen at Daviess County High School already have some national recognition. Abby Newman and Millie Roberts are both ranked in the top 100 players in the country for their respective classes — and the two are first cousins.

As a sophomore shortstop, Newman is a 2021 Extra Elite 100 honoree, while freshman catcher Roberts is ranked No. 14 for 2022 in the FloSoftball’s Hot 100.

Both girls started their careers at a young age, and it didn’t take long for either to realize they had great potential.

Newman said as she really dedicated herself to softball, she enjoyed the challenge of playing at a high level outside of high school competition.

“I really liked it, so I just kept playing,” she said. “As I got older, I started off playing locally but now I play in A-level tournaments. We travel and it’s really fun playing against all the high-level teams and the best in the nation.”

Roberts said it was around age 12 when she joined the Tennessee Fury travel team that her future began to take shape.

“That’s when I realized I could be bigger,” she said. “That helped the recruiting process and helped get more recognition and be more exposed to the softball world. It’s such an honor (to be able to play) because it’s my favorite thing to do.”

Last January — as an 8th-grader — Roberts verbally committed to Auburn University. She said it’s by far her biggest accomplishment so far.

“That’s what I worked toward for a long time,” she said. “I always knew I wanted to play in college. That’s always been my dream.”

Though she still had other options and more time to to make a decision, she said Auburn was an easy choice.

“I went to a bunch of other camps, but nothing really compared,” she said. “The campus and coaching staff is amazing, and I love it down there. It really feels like home.”

For Newman, she’s keeping her options open. For now, she’s dedicating her focus to the upcoming high school season. Then, she’ll continue playing with her travel team Southern Force as she figures out exactly what she wants to do.

“With the new rule change, it’s giving me a lot more time to just pick a college that’s best for me, not necessarily the highest level of competition,” she said. “It’ll give me what I want to pursue in life.”

Newman said both the high school and travel teams take a lot of hard work and sacrifice, and she appreciates the opportunity to be on each squad.

“I love playing,” she said. “I love the competition and I love the sport in general. It’s not just about the sport. It’s about the relationships it gets me.”

Still, it’s the travel team that adds an extra level of challenge that pushes any player to continually improve.

“Playing locally, you only see so much competition,” Newman said. “When you excel at that level, you want to push yourself and get better. Joining a team that travels far playing against everyone else really pushes you to be better.”

Though she typically competes on the Southern Force 16u team, she had an to opportunity to play with the 18u group last fall in the Scenic City Showcase. She’ll rejoin the 16u team this summer, but said she could go back to 18u if a roster spot opens up.

Roberts also had the chance to play up an age group by recently joining the Beverly Bandits 16u.

“Since I’ve reached my goal of being able to play in college, I’m working on bettering myself to prepare for that,” Roberts said. “I’m putting myself in a position to play with the best in the country. I feel like I have to put myself in situations that challenge me.

Since joining the Bandits, Roberts recently turned some heads at an Auburn camp with her power at the plate. Roberts knows her biggest strength is her offensive prowess, and she said hitting is her favorite part of the game.

For Newman, it’s the opposite. She said she excels in the field — though her offense isn’t a weak spot, as she had the highest batting average for Daviess County last season.

“Defense is definitely one of my best strengths,” she said. “I’m very vocal and defense has always come easy to me. I feel like I’m a really good leader with that.”

Both starters last season, Newman and Roberts shined for the Lady Panthers and were named to the All-District team. Daviess County lost in the first round of the district tournament a season ago, so the girls have aspirations of a deeper playoff run.

With each playing for high-level travel teams, they use high school as a chance to have fun with their teammates, though Newman said that doesn’t mean they don’t care about winning.

“I want us to be able to compete,” she said. “You can’t really control wins or losses, but I want for everyone to be the best they can be and have fun.”

Roberts agreed, saying it allows her to stay local and play in front of people she knows.

“In high school, I just have a lot of fun,” she said. “I get to play in my hometown, but I love being able to play in front of all my friends and family.”

Witch each going their separate way in for their travel teams, the cousins only cross paths when playing for Daviess County. Newman said they have a good relationship and each pushes the other to succeed.

“We’re really close,” Newman said. “She’s a really good friend of mine. We challenge each other on the field and we’re always pushing each other to be better.”

January 17, 2019 | 12:46 am

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