Though the Bulldogs lost five starters from last year’s squad to graduation, Carl Junction softball is returning several key pieces while welcoming some talented youth to the roster with hopes of competing in an always-tough Central Ozark Conference for the upcoming 2022 season.
“I’ve got a lot of optimism coming into this season,” Carl Junction coach Zak Petty said. “When I look at our roster at the varsity level, we are going to be very good defensively. We’ve got a really solid mix of experience and youth. Six of our starters very well could be freshman and sophomores, however, they are out there for a reason. We trust them. They’ve shown us so far this summer and the first few days of fall that they can handle it. It’s exciting. I’ve got a lot of options in terms of our hitting lineup as well. We will be solid.”
No longer having the services of four-year starting catcher Allison Plumlee, CF DaLaynie Hallacy, UTL Addie Brock, 2B Jamie Fabozzi and UTL Tavia Rodriguez certainly leaves a void to fill for the Bulldogs this season.
However, after missing her entire junior season to an injury, senior Sammie Sims returns to shortstop to provide a big lift to the team.
“Sammie has started at shortstop for us since she was a freshman,” Petty said. “Unfortunately, she missed last season due to a broken leg. So, it is great to have her back out there on the field for us. Not just for her talent, but for the leadership she provides for us.”
Joining Sims in returning for CJ are sophomore Madi Olds, who will step in as catcher this season after hitting .403 at plate a year. Junior 2B Hannah Cantrell is back after seeing time at shortstop and in the outfield last year, slated to hit near or at the top of the lineup with her speed. Sophomore Dezi Williams returns to roam left field, while sophomore Hanna Cole will return to the circle while possibly seeing time at first base and in the outfield as well. Others returning with varsity experience are sophomore OF Alivia Haase and senior OF Emma Fleming.
Even more exciting for the program is the infusion of talent in the freshman class, with Ryleigh Palmer starting the season in center field, Georgia Arnold slated to start at third base with Kiley Spencer seeing extensive work in the circle and mixing in at third base.
With the talent returning and several young players figuring to make an early impact at the varsity level, one thing is certain—the Bulldogs not only expect to compete, but they expect to win.
“Expectations wise, we expect to win,” Petty said. “There’s no question that we had a tough season last year. We didn’t have a lot of depth and we dealt with numerous injuries. It felt like we were limping through the season. With this group, it feels different. We’ve got depth. We’ve got pitching. We’ve got hitting. We’ve got defense. We’ve got speed. I know that sounds cliché, but we have it. Now we just need to translate that to wins on the field. We can have all that, but it must show up in games.”
It will be a process for Carl Junction, though. As the team takes steps in improving to ultimately meet its goal, Coach Petty is making sure girls focus on what is important as the season draws near.
“Play together and compete together,” Petty said. “We’ve got talent. This is a group of girls that have played softball, and a lot of it. Now they just need to be able to bring it all together. It may not happen right away. But it will happen. My job is to put them in the best possible position to be successful and they will take it from there.”
Carl Junction opens the season at the Kickoff Classic on Aug. 26-27 before traveling to Cassville on Aug. 29. The Bulldogs’ first home game is Aug. 31 against Hilcrest.