Catie Cummins’ Neosho Wildcats are in prime position to repeat their strong performance from a year ago again in 2020.
Coming off an 18-8 record last season, Neosho returns a bevy of difference makers, led by all-conference performers Kaitlyn Killion and McKaylie Forrest. Killion, a junior outfielder, hit .432 and scored 26 runs a year ago, while Forrest, a sophomore backstop who could see time on the infield, hit .424 with 22 RBI in 2019.
“(McKaylie) is a pretty good third baseman and shortstop, so when we are looking to give her legs a break, we might see her on the infield,” Cummins said. “Kaitlyn is a two-time unanimous all-COC player, and to not miss a vote as an outfielder in that conference in your first two years is incredible.”
Junior OF Lili Graue returns after hitting .367 in 2019, along with junior utility player Alivia Campbell, who also hit .367 a year ago. Also back for the Wildcats in her senior season is starting shortstop Sierra Jones, who finished last season with a .384 average at the plate. Junior UT Maddie Carpenter figures to see plenty of action at third base this season for Neosho.
Sophomore Maelynn Garrett figures to start at first base, with sophomores Abbie Carpenter, Baylie Bowers and freshman Tatiyana Douglas also planning to see varsity time this season.
“This season is going to be really exciting,” Cummins said. “We only have two seniors and four juniors. Then, we have 12 sophomores. … It’s a competition in that (sophomore class) to see who is going to perform.”
IN THE CIRCLE
Senior Brittany Winchester, who finished with a 3-1 record a year ago, will be looked at as the ace for the Wildcats. She also hit .333 at the plate as a junior. Sophomore Chloe Patterson will also be in the mix for innings with others in the circle as well, which is an area that Cummins believes will be one of the team’s biggest strengths.
“We know you have to work ahead (in the count),” Cummins said. “We cannot work from behind because we will not be setting ourselves up for success if we do that. I think our pitching will be very consistent this season.”
Of course, Neosho will also be relying heavily on its defense to make plays with a pitching staff that performs better when pitching to contact instead of going for a strikeout every at-bat.
“We are not going to have a lot of strikeouts as a staff, but I tell our pitchers all the time, ‘we don’t need strikeouts to get people out,’” Cummins said. “We are going to have a lot of ground balls and pop-ups. So, that is where we are going to look at our defense to back up our pitchers as they work it around the zone.”
PLENTY OF OFFENSE
Cummins also believes the Wildcats will not have a problem scoring runs this season, as she feels the offense will be another strength for the team in 2020. Forrest will likely see plenty of RBI opportunities this year hitting third in the lineup for Neosho. Though, there has been talk of using her in the leadoff spot if needed.
“She gets on base all the time,” Cummins said of Forrest. “It makes sense to (let her leadoff), but if we can’t get those runs pushed in behind her, then it doesn’t make sense. So, that is something we are going to see how it plays out and what we feel good about.”
Maddie Carpenter will also be relied on to drive in runs in the middle of the lineup for the Wildcats.
SEASON OPENER
Noesho opens the season on the road with a 4:30 p.m. matchup at Monett on Aug. 31.
“Picking up that first win is such a sense of relief for the kids,” Cummins said. “So, we need to try to jump on that early to get that first win … and just kind of take that momentum and keep it rolling.”
