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Davie’s new varsity softball coach is a familiar face. Morgan Wyatt was a devastating two-way player (catcher/power hitter) for the War Eagles from 2007-10.

As an unfazed varsity freshman, all Wyatt did was hit .457 with 10 doubles and 25 RBIs. After hitting .364 as a sophomore, she solidified her place in Davie lore as a junior, hitting .542 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs.

Wyatt rewrote the record book while playing for Janice Jackson (2007-09) and Alyse Wooldridge (2010). In the single-season annals, she holds the No. 2 spots for average (.542, second to Sierra Ferguson’s .573) and homers (nine, second to Ferguson’s 10). For career marks, Wyatt is second in homers (13) and third in hits (129), RBIs (91), doubles (26) and walks/HBPs (43). She’s No. 4 in runs (102).

Wyatt did something that hasn’t been matched in a 2009 game against North Forsyth – slamming three home runs in one game.

Wyatt took her talents to the Division-I level in 2011. As a freshman at Western Carolina, she shared the team lead in homers (four) and paced the Catamounts in RBIs (31). She was plagued by an injury in 2012.

After starting 67 of 111 games in two years, Wyatt seemed on the verge of stardom in Cullowhee. But two shoulder surgeries ended her career prematurely.

Wyatt, 27, came home to teach PE and coach, landing a job at South Davie Middle. She guided Davie’s JV team the past five years, posting four winning records while going 48-26. Her 2019 club went 12-2. She also assisted Dawn Lowery, who resigned as head coach in May, throughout her five years at the helm.

Wyatt said: “I’ve always thought about coming back and teaching PE in the county, and it’s awesome to have an opportunity to coach where I got to play. I hope to make an impact like the coaches did with me.”

Wyatt brings spirit, competitive drive and a fun-loving attitude.

“I’m super happy for Morgan,” Lowery said. “She’s worked hard the last five years. That is something she’s always dreamed about, and I’m glad it’s going to happen for her.

“She’s a great leader. She knows a lot about the game. She cares about the girls and cares about the program. It was my prayer that someone would come in and be that positive leader like she will be.”

Wyatt was an extreme workhorse as an assistant coach. For four years, she handled the important role of calling pitches. Watching how Lowery directed a program was one of the best experiences an assistant could have. From 2015-19, Lowery’s War Eagles went 82-46 overall, 40-14 in the Central Piedmont Conference and collected six state-playoff wins. The 2016 team reached the 4-A quarterfinals. The 2017 team captured the CPC Tournament and reached the final 16. The 2018 team won the regular-season championship.

Lowery: “She’s a workhorse. She’s dedicated to it. She’s not going to give it 50 percent; she’s 100 percent all the time, and that’s one of my favorite things about her.”

Seven months before the 2020 season, Wyatt is ready to roll.

“I was lucky enough to work with Dawn, coach (Debbie) Evans and coach (Blaine) Nicholson,” she said. “I feel like I’ve learned a lot the past five years, and I’m really excited to have this opportunity.”

Half of the old staff won’t be back, with Nicholson stepping away to devote more time in football. Wyatt is looking to add two assistants.

“Blaine definitely brought a lot to the program, too,” she said. “We’ll do our best to find somebody who clicks with us. We want competitors to keep the hype level up.”