There is reason to be excited when talking about Carthage softball.
In Stephanie Ray’s first season as head coach a year ago, the Tigers finished with a 19-12 overall and came in second place in the Central Ozark Conference with a 7-2 record. Carthage will look to take the next step as seven starters return to the fold in 2021.
“We went 19-12 last year and I don’t know if the girls realized we could do that,” Ray said about the added experience coming back for the 2021 season. “Now, they know we are capable of it. They are so excited to get in here and get started. They are rolling off of the momentum from the offseason and ready to go.”
Carthage’s Natalie Rodriguez drives the ball to the outfield during the Tigers’ jamboree. Photo by Shawn Fowler.
The Tigers’ returning starters are headlined by junior outfielder Landry Cochran and seniors Natalie Rodriguez (IF), Presley Probert (IF), Jensyn Elder (P), Mary Grace Richmond (OF), Jordyn Jones (IF) and Kate Potter (IF/P). Also returning for the Tigers are seniors Montana Fly (IF/OF) and Aspen Willis (OF), as well as junior Ashlynn Jackson (OF/P) and sophomores Alexis Smith (C/IF) and Brooklynn Dolon-Main (IF).
“We are deep in a lot of positions this year,” Ray said. “Returning almost our entire lineup and our entire defense is going to be huge for us this year.”
Offensively, Cochran led the Tigers with a .451 batting average last season, adding 19 RBI and 36 runs scored as well. She also led Carthage in hits with 46. Rodriguez hit .402 to go along with 25 RBI and 31 runs scored. Probert batted .337 BA with 19 RBI and 23 runs scored.
In the circle, Elder finished with 17 wins,156 strikeouts and a 2.40 earned-run average.
“Landry led us in a lot of offensive categories last season,” Ray said. “She was consistent all season. She was a hard out every game and will lead us at the top of the lineup and in center field.
“Having Jensyn back is huge because our defense is so comfortable behind her. They understand if the ball gets put in play to be ready to go make a play. They love playing defense with her in the circle. She works hard out there.”
Carthage pitcher Jensyn Elder delivers a strike to home plate during the Tigers’ jamboree. Photo by Shawn Fowler.
Carthage’s biggest asset is obviously its returning experience, including the entire infield. Six of the seven returning starters are seniors, with several upperclassmen available off the bench as well. The focus will be doing the little things correctly in all three phases of the game.
“I think we need to be more consistent,” Ray said. “Last year, we started off about .500 and built momentum as the season went and picked it up at the end. I would like to see us start off a little bit quicker this year. … I expect us to work hard and be ready to compete with whoever we share the field with.”
Carthage opens the season in the Rockwood Summit softball tournament Aug. 27-28.
The Webb City Cardinals will have new faces in big roles this fall.
Entering the 2021 season, the Cardinals must overcome the loss of a talented senior class that produced 11 all-conference and six all-state performers.
“We are replacing many multi-year starters in several positions,” Webb City coach John Roderique noted. “That’s a very tough thing to do. We’ll need to become an experienced team early. There are a lot of unknowns, but that’s what’s exciting. Some kids always surprise you.”
Webb City will rely heavily on five returning starters on offense and four full-time starters on defense to lead the way alongside a large number of new varsity performers who will get their chance to shine this season.
“We’re a very inexperienced team right now,” said Roderique, who owns a record of 298-28 entering his 25th season at the helm. “It showed at times at the jamboree. But our kids have been working hard and they’ve done a really good job. We’ll have some new guys step forward. We’re excited to get the season kicked off and we’ll see how much progress we make week to week. We want to improve from start to finish.”
As far as 2020, a bump up to Class 5 didn’t stop Webb City from having a memorable and highly successful campaign.
The Cardinals went 11-2 overall and were one of the final four teams competing in Class 5. Along the way, Webb City earned a share of the Central Ozark Conference championship, captured a district title for the 21st straight season and reached the state semifinals for the 12th time in 13 years.
In a season that began with uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic, Roderique’s defending Class 4 champion Cardinals moved up to Class 5 and put together an 11-game winning streak before falling to Platte County in the semifinals.
“The best part of the season was overcoming a season opening loss to Joplin to put ourselves in a tie for the conference title, winning a district championship and advancing to the semifinals,” said Roderique, who has won 12 state championships at his alma mater.
Dealing with COVID-19 was not easy, Roderique noted.
“The most challenging thing was each day we didn’t know who was going to show up or be available for practice or who might be playing on Friday,” Roderique said. “We had to make many adjustments to the roster and depth chart each and every week.”
Among the biggest losses to graduation were last year’s COC Offensive Player of the Year Devrin Weathers and COC Defensive Player of the Year Treghan Parker. Kansas State recruit Weathers and Missouri State recruit Gary Clinton were among the all-state performers who have moved on the next level.
Cohl Vaden attempts a pass during last Friday’s jamboree at Junge Field. Photo by Shawn Fowler.
OFFENSE
Webb City’s split-back veer offense will be directed by a new quarterback this fall—5-foot-10, 160-pound senior Cohl Vaden.
“Cohl’s been great at QB and he’s a really smart kid,” said Roderique. “He’s really smart and athletic on the field. He’s got a good football IQ. He’s doing a good job.”
Vaden earned third-team all-COC honors last year as a wide receiver. He had 294 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Junior Gage Chapman is another option at QB.
A pair of senior running backs return with starting experience. Dupree Jackson recorded 836 rushing yards and scored 12 touchdowns last season, while classmate Cade Wilson ran for 305 yards and six scores before an injury cut short his season.
Eric Fitch is expected to play a key role for the Webb City Cardinals.
Options at wide receiver are seniors Eric Fitch and Josh Howard, while senior Skyler Denton and junior Trey Roets are tight ends.
Two offensive linemen are returning starters.
Senior center Buddy Belcher (6-0, 245) earned all-conference and all-district honors last year. Belcher will start for a third straight season.
Senior guard Braeden Jackson (6-3, 270) is also back with starting experience.
Senior Angel Valasquez and sophomores Kole Carr and Nate Miller are other possible starters on the offensive line.
DEFENSE
The Cardinals feature three returning starters at linebacker in seniors Brentan Wilson (5-9, 170) and Cooper Crouch (6-1, 210) and junior Lucas Ott (6-1, 195).
Roderique expects all three players to be leaders of the defense. Wilson made 60 tackles last year, most among returning players. Crouch and Ott recorded 56 tackles apiece last fall.
Also back are senior tackles Christian Kinney (6-3, 250) and Brody German (5-10, 230). Kinney recorded 27 stops last year, while German made 21 tackles.
Fitch is a possible starter at defensive back. Also expected to contribute nicely are seniors Gavin Stowell (LB) and Braxton Surber (DL) and juniors Kaylor Darnell (DB) and A.J. Bash (DL).
COACHING STAFF ADDITIONS
Roderique’s coaching staff has two noteworthy additions this year.
Scott Bailey, who led Lamar to seven state titles in 14 years, is now coaching Webb City’s defensive line.
Webb City graduate and former assistant Ryan McFarland is back on the staff as the offensive coordinator after leaving Seneca, where he guided the Indians the last five years.
“They’re awesome guys and just good friends,” Roderique said of Bailey and McFarland. “They’re both great with kids. They’re exceptional football coaches and they do a great job of inspiring and motivating kids.”
WEEK 1 IS HERE
Webb City hosts Joplin at 7 on Friday night in a highly-anticipated Week 1 clash.
“It’s Week 1, so it’s like a baseline test to figure out where you’re at,” Roderique said. “Week 1 will give us an indication of where we need to be and where we need to go.”
After yet another successful campaign on the gridiron, the Carthage Tigers once again have the expectations set high as a new season arrives.
And it’s not hard to see why.
Entering the 2021 season, the Tigers will feature one of the conference’s top two-way performers in junior running back and linebacker Luke Gall.
Carthage also returns 10 players who gained starting experience on defense last fall. On top of that, the Tigers will feature battle-tested linemen on both sides of the ball to go along with a number of promising athletes at the skill positions.
To longtime Carthage coach Jon Guidie, there’s a lot to like about this year’s squad.
“It’s a great group of kids,” said Guidie, who is 145-42 in 16 seasons at Carthage. “They’re fun to coach. They’re high-character kids. They show up everyday with great attitudes. We’ve got some experienced guys and some new guys who are eager to make a name for themselves.”
Coming off a state championship in 2019, Carthage put together another stellar campaign in ’20.
The Tigers went 9-1, earning a share of the Central Ozark Conference title with Webb City before suffering a season-ending setback to the rival Cardinals in the district championship game.
Carthage running back Luke Gall looks for running room in last year’s game against Webb City. File photo by Shawn Fowler.
Carthage’s top returning performer is arguably one of the COC’s best, as the 5-foot-11, 195-pound Gall should once again be a two-way standout.
“Luke’s been fantastic,” Guidie said. “Anytime one of your best players is your hardest worker it’s a good thing. Luke never takes a day off, whether it’s practice or the weight room. His motor is always running. He does a lot for us on the field. Just his presence alone out there gives our kids a lot of confidence.”
OFFENSE
Senior Caden Kabance is slated to take over the quarterback position after previously gaining starting experience at both receiver and defensive back, where he earned all-COC honors.
Guidie noted Kabance has made a smooth transition from catching passes to throwing them.
“He’s been fantastic,” Guidie said. “He was our freshman quarterback and was the backup the last couple of years. Caden took reps in practice so it’s not like it’s all new to him. He’s a smart player. He reminds me of Alex Derryberry. He’s very efficient at running the offense and he can be elusive when he runs.”
The 6-foot, 180-pound Kabance will start under center this fall after the graduation of Patrick Carlton, a three-year starter at QB who ran for 1,272 yards and passed for 1,096 in ’20. Carlton is now at East Coast Prep.
Gall, who earned first-team all-COC recognition on offense and defense as a sophomore, ran for 1,051 yards (6.6 yards per carry) and scored 15 touchdowns last fall. He’s expected to be a workhorse from the running back position again.
Junior running back Clay Kinder will also see plenty of carries.
“Clay played about everything for us last year,” Guidie said. “He’s settled into that second running back spot.”
Senior H-back Brett Rockers is also expected to contribute nicely.
“He plays hard and he plays physical,” Guidie said. “He gets after it and we’re very excited about him.”
Senior Cale Patrick is a returning performer at wide receiver.
“He’s been really good this year and he’ll start on defense too,” Guidie said.
Senior Braxdon Tate and junior Aiden Rogers are other options at wide receiver.
Junior Tyler Willis started over half of Carthage’s games last year on both sides of the ball. He’ll be a key weapon at tight end.
The Tigers have a pair of returning standouts on the offensive line.
Senior Garrett Lilienkamp (6-2, 265) will become a three year starter on the offensive line. He earned third-team all-conference honors and honorable mention all-state recognition last year.
Senior Gavin VanGilder (6-2, 255) is a two-year starter at center, while classmate Anthony Strickland (6-1, 275) is another offensive lineman who should make a big impact.
Juniors Drew Musche and Malachi Housh are other likely starters on the offensive line.
“Our O-Line is doing a great job,” Guidie said. “It all starts with them.”
DEFENSE
Among the 10 players who started at least one game in 2020, seven were full-time starters.
“I like where we’re at defensively,” Guidie said. “We have a lot of speed and experience on that side of the ball. That’s something we need to use to our advantage.”
Gall recorded 76 tackles, including 11 for a loss, earning second-team all-state recognition.
Fellow linebackers Sylas Browning and Zach Lansford return with starting experience. Both are seniors.
“They’re smart and athletic players,” Guidie said of his returning linebackers. “And they’re all physical kids.”
Junior Micah Lindsey is back at defensive tackle. Lindsey recorded 13 tackles for loss and eight sacks last year, earning second-team all-COC honors.
“He’s certainly bigger, faster and more experienced this year and we expect big things out of him,” Guidie said.
Senior Max Williams returns after starting every game last season at defensive end.
Junior Davion King is back with starting experience in the secondary. Kinder is expected to make an impact at defensive back, while Kabance could also see time at cornerback.
WEEK 1 IS HERE
The Tigers open the ’21 season on Friday night at Ozark.
“Week 1 is always kind of an unknown,” Guidie said. “We know Ozark’s kids will be ready to play. They have big and athletic kids everywhere. We’ll have to be disciplined defensively against their flexbone offense. On our end, it’s about playing hard and playing mistake-free. If we can do that, we can iron out everything else.”
