Carl Junction softball has seven returning starters for the 2020 season, and that experience is going to be a driving force for the Bulldogs.
“This is the first year in a while where we have this much returning experience,” CJ coach Zak Petty said. “That is going to have a big impact for us, especially leadership-wise.”
Seniors Kacie Ford, Kalyssa Hagston, Bryn Neria, Kaitlyn Nease, Saedra Allen and Jayden Green headline the list of varsity contributors.
“I feel like having that many seniors return, we are going to be able to pick it up pretty quick out of the gate in terms of getting the early-season jitters out of the way early,” Petty said. “One of our biggest strengths will be experience. When those big games come around, that is going to be a positive for us.”
IN THE CIRCLE
Allen figures to be the No. 1 pitcher heading into the season for Carl Junction. After a strong close to the 2019 season, Petty believes she has turned the corner coming into her senior season.
“She worked her way into being our No. 1 pitcher by the end of the season and ended up working both of our district games last season,” Petty said. “Over the summer, and through some early scrimmages this season, we can tell she has turned into a very solid pitcher. Right now, we think she is comparable to the other COC schools’ No. 1 pitchers.”
Also expected to help extensively in the circle is Green, who will be looked at as the main pitcher in relief as well as seeing spot starts when needed.
“We won’t skip a beat when Jayden is out there,” Petty said. “Jayden is geared towards being really good for two or three solid innings, and she is really good in that timespan. This is the first time I think I have ever felt really good about being 100 percent confident with both of our pitchers anytime they are out there.”
PITCHER’S BEST FRIEND
The Bulldogs’ biggest strength this season will be team defense. With a bevy of returning starters from last season, Coach Petty believes that continuity will greatly benefit his girls.
“Our entire starting infield minus third base is back from last year,” Petty said. “I think our defense is going to be our No. 1 strength as a team. We can do a lot of different things defensively.”
Nease, who missed her junior season with a knee injury, and junior Tavia Rodriguez will be battling it out in the competition for third base.
Junior Allison Plumlee returns as the starting catcher for the third straight season, while Neria returns to first base for the third straight season for the Bulldogs. Ford will be the starting second baseman, with sophomore Sammie Sims back as the starting shortstop.
In the outfield, junior Addie Brock figures to start in right field after holding a utility role last season, with Hagston roaming center field in her fourth year as a starter. There will be a competition in left field between junior Delanynie Hallacy and freshman Hannah Cantrell.
OFFSEASON FOCUS
Offensive production has been a focus for Petty in the offseason. He wants to see his team improve on the lack of timely production from a season ago.
“We struck out way too many times last year, and that was kind of our downfall,” Petty said. “We didn’t really have an issue getting people on base, but we just couldn’t get those timely hits. We have some speed at the top of the lineup and some thumpers in the middle to drive them in, but our bottom half of the lineup is going to need to figure it out a little bit. If we want to be successful, we need to be better at consistently putting the ball in play.”
NEWCOMERS
Cantrell looks to be the biggest contributor as far as newcomers are concerned in her first season at the high school level.
“She is a multi-sport athlete who we have planned on coming up and contributing for us for a couple of years now,” Petty said. “She is probably the most athletic player we have.”
Freshman Isabelle Southern, the backup first baseman, will be called upon to drive in runs for Carl Junction, as one of the power bats for the Bulldogs.
“She is going to be coming off the bench getting varsity at-bats,” Petty said. “She hasn’t played softball since the 6th grade, but she played this summer and is so strong. She has so much room to grow as a softball player, so we are excited for what she brings.”
TAKING NOTHING FOR GRANTED
With the COVID-19 pandemic still a serious issue, the six seniors for the Bulldogs understand their season could be cut short at any time. With that in mind, Petty has talked with them about cherishing every game they get to partake in.
“We remind them all the time that there are things going on in the world outside of us that we can’t control,” Petty said. “With their leadership, our seniors are really good about leading by example in terms of the pandemic protocols like wearing masks and social distancing. They keep each other in check.
“It is going to be a different senior year, and they saw the spring sports canceled last season. I think that makes them realize how special it is that they get to go out and play. We are taking this one day at a time, one game at a time. It’s a good group of seniors to have for this moment. They are going to be positive and realistic about expectations.”
Carl Junction opens the season at Reeds Springs on Friday before traveling to Cassville on Aug. 31. Both games are scheduled for 4:30 p.m. start times. When asked what is the key to start the season off strong, Petty reiterated how important pitching and defense will be for his Bulldogs.
“I think we’re really counting on our pitchers to control the game and make things easy for our defense,” Petty said. “We want to take pressure off the offense that might need a few games to get established. If we can do that, we can focus on execution. If our pitchers, and the defense, can go out and dominate, that will be a big plus.”
