Softball teams get ready for spring season
The spring softball teams in Wright County are ready for the upcoming season.
Mountain Grove
Lady Panthers’ head coach Allison Klock enters her second season as head of the program and is in her 19th season as a coach at the high school level.
Mountain Grove was 12-7 overall last spring before falling early in districts.
Returning to the mound this year is senior Payton O’Connor and sophomore Hannah Dowden. Dowden was a first-team, All-District pitcher a season ago. She had 112 strikeouts.
“She has put in more work over the past year to expand what she can do on the mound and I believe she will reach another level of success this season,” Coach Klock said. “Hannah throws a variety of pitches with good velocity producing great results. Payton had significantly less time on the mound last year than her sophomore season, but she has been working hard to see improvement and we believe we can use her arm more this season.”
Offensively, the Lady Panthers are expected to get some pop from Lyla Golden, Aubrie Gerla and O’Connor. Making a difference on the base paths will be Gabby Miller, Chloe Slagle and Aubrey Owens.
“I believe our biggest strength is the power we have on the offensive side of the ball,” Coach Klock said. “The girls have been putting in the work this off season and I am seeing a lot of great cuts in the cages. Each athlete has the skill set needed to be a great hitter, with practice the lineup improves and will produce great results.”
Mountain Grove’s seniors include McKenzie Schober (OF), Slagle (OF) and O’Connor (P/1B).
“I am really excited for my three seniors and their leadership qualities for this season,” Coach Klock said. “It will be bittersweet each day as they wrap up their careers as Lady Panthers.”
One key newcomer will be freshman Briley Curtiss. (utility).
“I am extremely excited for this season,” Coach Klock said. “I believe we have a strong group of girls that want to play for each other and see improvement as the season progresses.” Mountain Grove opens at home against Mt. Vernon at 1:30 p.m. on March 21.
Mansfield
Coming off a tough 9-16 season last spring, the Mansfield Lady Lions’ softball team has a new coaching staff that features Lora Coble, Tracy Dixon, Jackie Harrington and Colton Jones.
The group is led by seniors Addie Jones (P/IF), Emma Matney (2B/LF), Cayley Young (2B/LF), Madisyn Bennett (CF) and Haleigh Jones (RF).
“Very versatile group of seniors that have been with the program all four years,” said one of the coaches in Coach Colton Jones.
Addie Jones is the squad’s lone returning varsity pitcher. Sophomore Kayley Kingery and freshman Patience Parsons may also see time on the mound.
Other key returners include Mylee Sullivan (3B) and Rylee Dixon. Freshmen Jadlyn Coble (C) and Parsons (1B) are also expected to see some time in the line-up.
Offensively, the goal is for the hitters to put the ball in play and use good base running to put pressure on the defense.
Defensively, the team is working on making routine plays to minimize errors.
“I always talk about keeping the game a 21-out game and not gift the other team more at bats,” Colton Jones said.
Mansfield opens at home against Galena at 5 p.m. on March 19.
Norwood and
Hartville
Both Norwood and Hartville softball teams are in their practice seasons as they don’t play in districts, but will compete for a Summit Conference title.
Norwood was 12-12 in the fall, but does have returning seniors Maddie Campbell (P), Jayden Chambers (C), Gentry Davault (DP/Flex) and Addy Gray (2B). Campbell was an All-State pitcher. The team was 10-2 last spring and is now coached by Cole Garnette.
Hartville was 10-1 last spring and competed for the Summit Conference title. This past fall they finished at 12-12 overall.
They open at home at 4:30 p.m. March 20 for Coach Jeff Palmer.