Carl Junction softball is tasked with making up for the loss of six seniors from last year’s team, relying on three returning starters and the upside of the underclassmen to turn the corner in 2021.
“(We will have to) overcome the lack of experience,” CJ coach Zak Petty said. “We may very well have four freshmen on the field at one time during the season. With only three returning starters, and possibly only one of them playing the position they did last year, we’ve got a lot of learning to do. And we will have to do it on the fly.
“Our girls are working hard to get where they need to be. It’s going to be a learning curve for some of them. However, we’ve got a great group of girls. They can push each other, and we will see where that takes us.”
The Bulldogs, who finished last season with a 7-16, 1-8 COC record, welcome back five seniors for the upcoming season—Allison Plumlee (four-year catcher), Dalaynie Hallacy (OF), Jamie Fabozzi (2B), Tavia Rodriguez (UTL) and Addie Brock (3B/OF).
Also returning to the varsity squad is sophomore Izzie Southern (1B), while sophomore Hanna Cantrell (SS/P), freshman Madi Olds (UTL), freshman Dezi Williams (OF), freshman Hanna Cole (P) and freshman Alivia Haase (UTL) are expected to contribute at the varsity level. Junior Emma Fleming (P/OF) is also in the mix.
Unfortunately, the Bulldogs will be without junior Sammie Sims because of a leg injury. Sims was projected to be the leadoff hitter while starting at shortstop for her third straight season.
The biggest strength for Carl Junction this season will be at the plate, according to Petty.
“Offensively, I feel that’s our brightest spot,” he said. “I feel really confident in the top five or six spots in our order. If the bottom half of the lineup can put some things together, then we will be just fine on offense.”
The biggest obstacle standing in the way of the Bulldogs this season on the diamond will be the lack of varsity pitching experience.
“We will need our young pitchers to carry us,” Petty said. “We have zero innings of varsity experience in the circle. … Hannah Cantrell, Hannah Cole and possibly Emma Fleming are our three primed to pitch for us. Our plan and hope is that one or more of them step up to the challenge. I am confident they will.”
Carl Junction’s jamboree is set for Aug. 24 before the Bulldogs kick off the season hosting Cassville at 4:30 on Aug. 30.
