Joplin softball will be using a deep lineup littered with decorated returning starters to lead the way for the upcoming 2021 season.
The Eagles, who finished 8-22 and 2-7 in the Central Ozark Conference last season, graduated four seniors from a year ago, but Joplin has four seniors on this year’s squad as well as several key returning players who saw extensive varsity playing time a year ago.
“We have a great returning cast,” Joplin head coach Manny Flores said. “Some of our seniors, juniors and even our sophomores had some varsity playing time last year. And we have a great freshman class to combine with that experience from last year. It is pushing our older girls to get better. To be honest, I am excited to see how this team comes together to gel and compete as a team.”
On top of returning seniors Liz Snider (catcher), Madisyn Tracy (1B, P), Kourtney Wright (IF) and Ryleigh Surridge (2B, OF), Joplin also welcomes back junior shortstop Izzy Yust and sophomore third baseman Bailey Ledford.
“(Madisyn) is our vocal leader and she really works hard,” Flores said. “She is going to be a girl we lean on in the middle of the order, at first base and she might see some time in the circle.”
Yust finished the year with first-team all-district and second-team all-COC honors, while Snider was also first-team all-district and earned all-conference honorable mention. Ledford was second-team all-district and all-conference honorable mention as a freshman last season.
“I am really excited about Izzy returning at shortstop,” Flores said. “She is another captain who leads by example. … Bailey started every game for us at third base as a sophomore and she is such a fun player to watch all the way around. … She brings the energy for us. Liz, when healthy, can be a difference maker in the middle of the order. She is also a solid defender behind the plate and doesn’t allow many passed balls.”
Junior Jill McDaniel returns to the circle as Joplin’s starting pitcher.
“We are going to rely heavily on her in the circle to make that jump as an upperclassman for us,” Flores said. “If she commands the zone, she is one of the toughest girls to hit in the area.”
Junior OF Hope Oakley, an Oklahoma transfer, and freshmen Jadyn Pankow (1B, OF), Abigayle Lowery (OF), Maria Loum (IF), Libby Munn (IF, OF) and Riley Kelly (C) are also expected to contribute at the varsity level this season.
As far as the team’s biggest strength this season? Flores was quick to point out how much potential the Eagles’ lineup has.
“I think we have an offense that can compete with anybody in our conference,” Flores said. “I think we are going to come out and swing it. We will be able to come out and beat teams in different ways. … We can hit for some power and we have a lot of speed this year as well. Small ball is also going to be a big part of it, too.”
While the offense is expected to lead the way for the Eagles, the true test for Joplin’s success will come in the circle and on the defensive end. If the Eagles find a way to stay competitive early in those two areas, improving as the season progresses, Joplin will be in position to continue the trend of adding wins to their record in 2021.
“We need to play hard and compete on every pitch,” Flores said.” We are going to have to come together and gel as a group and play unselfish softball to give ourselves a chance day in and day out and I think we will do that. All it’s going to take is us winning a close game or two early on to start building that belief. If that happens, look out because we can be a really good softball team.”
Joplin opens the season on the diamond in the Branson-Aurora Bash softball tournament Aug. 27-28.
