Laurence Manning's Tanner lights it up in the circle, at the plate on way to Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week

When the Laurence Manning softball team opened its season with three games last week, there was a somewhat new face standing in the circle.

For the previous four seasons, two pitchers pitched nearly every inning for LMA, Laini Kosinski and Kayleigh Parmenter-Avins. Both pitchers graduated after winning a second consecutive state title last spring, leaving the circle open for some new arms ready to grab the opportunity.

Last week, Kendall Tanner took her shot.

The freshman pitcher took the ball twice and proved that she was more than capable of handling herself in the circle. At the plate, she was even better, hitting .615 with five extra base hits as LMA went 3-0 to kick off their title defense. As a result, Tanner was named the Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week.

"It feels good because they're always supporting me," Tanner said of the Swampcat community. "The whole school is very supportive."

Tanner felt the pressure that comes with being inserted into a veteran lineup on a team that has claimed two consecutive SCISA 4A state championships, but she took the weight of those expectations and turned it into a successful week on the diamond.

"I just really wanted to prove myself to the team and to at least get on and not be disappointing for the seniors, because I want to win it for the seniors this year," Tanner said. "There's a little bit of pressure, but they're really supportive and they'll pick you up when you do make an error or something."

Tanner saw a little bit of varsity softball last spring, but head coach Buddy Truett was pleased with the way she's adjusting to a full-time role early in the season.

"She got a little taste of it last year and she responded well to start the season, and that was great to see," Truett said. "She's a gamer. She's competitive, never wants to be taken out. The future is bright for her, definitely."

Laurence Manning has an extremely potent offense, and Tanner slotted perfectly into the already established group. She tripled three times in their first three games, adding two doubles. She drove in four runs while scoring eight times.

"All of the older girls took her in and saw what kind of competitor she is. She likes to work," Truett said of why Tanner fit so nicely into the offensive rhythm. "It's an added chip to our lineup, that's for sure."

Tanner's first start in the circle was a strong performance against Colleton Prep. She allowed just one earned run in five innings of work, scattering five hits and five walks while striking out six batters. She was confident in the circle because of the veteran defense behind her.

"I know my defense is really great and will be behind me, so I just want to pitch strikes because I know they'll be behind me," Tanner said.

Tanner learned how to overcome adversity in her second start. After allowing three runs in the first inning against John Paul II, she settled in and pitched four consecutive scoreless frames to keep their region foe at bay until the offense exploded for seven runs in the fifth and six more in the sixth. She added that effort with two RBIs of her own as LMA ran away with a 14-5 win.

One reason the freshman was able to play with confidence in her first full varsity season is the fact that she spent her entire winter playing varsity basketball with most of the same teammates. She felt comfortable with that group because of the bonds they've already forged.

"It's the same girls, and I feel like the bond is really great," Tanner said of using her experience during basketball season to adjust to varsity softball. "It kinda prepared me for softball."

A great week of games only added to that confidence as she looks to help LMA defend its state title.

"The first couple of games I was a little nervous," Tanner said. "With how good I did, I realized I can do good in varsity softball."