East Rowan Mustangs Softball Rebuilds, But Remain Dangerous

Coach Todd McNeely's squad looks to reload after losing several key players from last year's championship team.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The East Rowan High School softball team is facing a rebuilding year after graduating several standout players from their 23-4 squad that won the South Piedmont Conference title in 2025. With zero varsity pitching experience returning, the Mustangs will need to find new contributors to complement returning stars Lily Kluttz and Jordan Dry. Coach Todd McNeely believes South Rowan is the SPC favorite, but his team is focused on figuring out its own identity rather than worrying about the competition.

Why it matters

East Rowan has been a softball powerhouse in recent years, winning two straight conference titles. While they may take a step back this season, the program's sustained success over the past decade shows their ability to reload rather than rebuild. How the Mustangs navigate this transition will be closely watched in the local softball community.

The details

The Mustangs lost eight players who earned postseason accolades last year, leaving just two returning starters in shortstop Lily Kluttz and center fielder Jordan Dry. Junior Regan Williams is expected to take over as the team's top pitcher, while freshmen Charlotte Sammons and Bristol Smith provide additional options in the circle. Other new faces expected to contribute include Kimberly Troublefield, Maicy Miller, and the Pfister sisters. Coach McNeely acknowledges his team may not have the same offensive firepower as last season, so strong defense will be crucial.

  • East Rowan entered the 2026 season with zero varsity pitching experience.
  • The Mustangs won the South Piedmont Conference regular-season title in 2025 with a 23-4 record.

The players

Todd McNeely

The Mustangs' head coach, now in his 6th season, has led the team to an 86-31 record during his tenure.

Lily Kluttz

The returning shortstop was the South Piedmont Conference and Rowan County Player of the Year as a junior, batting .500.

Jordan Dry

The returning center fielder is a defensive standout who is also a power hitter, though she is leaning towards playing college volleyball.

Kimberly Troublefield

A veteran player headed to Chowan, she is expected to move to catcher this season after hitting well in the early going, including a home run.

Regan Williams

The junior is being counted on as the Mustangs' new No. 1 pitcher after putting in a lot of offseason work to prepare for the role.

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What they’re saying

“We're still searching a little bit. Three weeks from now we may be putting a completely different team on the field. We've got 23 girls, so we have some healthy competition. We've got freshmen pushing for playing time. We just have to figure some things out on offense and defense.”

— Todd McNeely, Head Coach (Salisbury Post)

“We lost everything we had in the circle, so the opportunity is there for Regan.”

— Todd McNeely, Head Coach (Salisbury Post)

What’s next

The Mustangs will look to continue their conference success as the season progresses, with key SPC matchups on the horizon.

The takeaway

Despite losing a talented senior class, East Rowan's softball program has demonstrated the ability to reload rather than rebuild. While the Mustangs may take a step back this season, their track record of sustained excellence suggests they will remain a force to be reckoned with in the South Piedmont Conference.