Following in the steps of our All-O-Zone Volleyball Team, we unveil the 2015 All-O-Zone Softball Team.
Don’t think of this as a definitive list of the “best” players in terms of overall talent; rather, it’s a group of players that had the best seasons statistically.
For the first team, I tried to stick with players’ traditional positions. So, even though some shortstops would have been better selections for the first team, I didn’t want an entire infield from that position.
Pitcher
Rachel Rook, junior, Republic: There were a lot of good pitchers in the area this season, but none dominated opposing lineups quite like the Republic junior. Rook had one of the best seasons in state history, going 25-3 overall with 323 strikeouts in 176 innings pitched. The 25 wins and 323 Ks put her in the Top 10 in state history (single season) for those respective categories. She had a 0.95 ERA on top of that. If not for Joplin’s Michaela Sennett pitching the game of her life against Republic in the district title game, Rook and the Tigers may have been on their way to state.
Catcher
Kenzie Goswick, senior, Joplin: An atypical leadoff hitter, it was easy to see why coach Kirk Harryman wanted to get Goswick to the plate as much as possible. Goswick may have been the best hitter in the area this year. Going into the state Final Four, She had a .616 batting average, including a 1.107slugging percentage. She led Joplin in just about every single offensive category, including average, slugging percentage, doubles (20), triples (4) and home runs (9). She was also second in RBIs (28). Goswick is headed to play collegiately at Tennessee State.
Infielders
Tabitha Francka, senior, Morrisville: An extra-base hitting machine, Francka can hit for power and average. She combined a .667 batting average with a 1.362 slugging percentage. She led Morrisville in doubles (20), triples (8) and home runs (4), doing all of that in 69 official at-bats. She drew 22 walks. If she gets on base, she’s a threat with her wheels; Francka led the Panthers with 18 steals.
Hannah Carvel, senior, Ozark – Carvel just had a knack for getting on base for the Tigers. She was Ozark’s most consistent hitter this season. She led Ozark with 36 singles; the next closest hitter in that category had 19. With six doubles, two home runs and a team-high five triples, Carvel’s .563 batting average was tops on Ozark. She also led the Tigers in on-base percentage (.596), slugging percentage (.816), and OPS (1.412). She swiped 13 bags and had a .960 fielding percentage at second base.
Camryn Pryor, junior, Salem – RBIs may not have the luster they once did (at least in MLB), but it’s hard to ignore how productive Pryor was with runners on base. The Salem first baseman finished with a school-record .570 batting average (.870 slugging) and 56 RBIs. According to assistant coach Nick Frillman, the 56 RBIs are the second-most in a single season under the MSHSAA record book. She didn’t just set the Salem record for RBIs in a single season, Pryor smashed it; the previous mark was 25. Pryor, the SCA Player of the Year, added 3 home runs, 13 doubles, 8 steals and struck out just four times. This first base spot was a hard call between Pryor and Rogersville’s Audra Metz, who had a lower batting average but better power numbers. Tough choice; you couldn’t go wrong with either player.
Allie Dickerson, junior, Reeds Spring – Much like Goswick, Dickerson isn’t the traditional, speedy leadoff hitter. But, as coach Scott Walker said after a game this season, “you don't have to steal many bases when you can start at second (base) anyway.” Dickerson is a doubles queen – she led Reeds Spring with 15 of them this past season –and is likely to set the school record in that category next season. As the team’s third baseman, the three-time unanimous all-COC-small selection added 2 home runs, 22 RBIs, 24 runs and 12 steals. She hit .544 with a .835 slugging percentage.
Outfield
Hailey Brown, sophomore, Rogersville – Denny McHenry and the Wildcats found themselves a keeper with the converted slapper. Hitting between veteran bats in Courtney Ince and Hayley Bledsoe, Brown thrived as a speedy 2-hole hitter. The second team all-state outfielder hit .505 –52 hits– with 16 RBIs and 49 runs. She stole 26 bases and was only caught stealing one time. In the outfield, she committed just two errors.
Miranda Lightfoot, senior, Fair Play – Some players are just nearly impossible to get out. Lightfoot would fit that bill, as the first-team Class 1 all-state outfielder was on-base about 70 percent (.712 officially) of the time this season. She hit .596 with 29 runs and 20 RBIs. Even more impressive about that is that she was rarely pitched to, coach Eric Derossett said. Lightfoot was walked 23 times in 81 plate appearances, this from a player who Derossett said “is not the kind of kid to look for a walk; she wants to hit.” In her junior and senior seasons, Lightfoot struck out just a combined 10 times in 181 plate appearances.
Kelsei Davis, senior, Camdenton – Veteran outfielder with speed, pop and a good glove. Davis, along with Erin Rasmussen, was Camdenton’s best hitters this season as the Lakers reached their district title game. Davis hit .432 with a .693 slugging percentage. She had 11 doubles, 4 home runs, 24 runs and 27 RBIs. She was 16-for-16 in stolen base attempts. Davis was a first team all-region and unanimous all-Ozark Conference selection.
Utility
Cassidy Beem, junior, Lamar – The Tigers have been rebuilding since their district title in 2013, but Beem continues to light up opposing pitching. On an 8-win Lamar team this fall, Beem hit .551 with a 1.043 slugging percentage. She had 25 RBIs, 8 doubles, 4 triples and 6 home runs, while only striking out twice in 69 at-bats. She’s shown some versatility as well, having played at the three most important positions on the field this season – catcher, pitcher and shortstop – and finished with a .963 fielding percentage while doing so.
Honorable mention
Pitcher
Bridget Rippe, junior, Willard (16-12, 1.11 ERA, 188.67 IPs, 229 Ks, 26 BBs, 0.922 WHIP)
Catcher
Emily Harris, senior, Webb City (.381 BA, .629 slugging, 11 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs, 30 RBIs, 16 runs, .993 fielding percentage. Signed to play at Missouri Southern)
Infield
Lauren Strobel, senior, Republic (.421 BA, 23 RBIs, 43 runs, 5 home runs. Signed to play at SBU)
Jenna Ogletree, junior, Norwood (.471 BA, .823 slugging, 39 runs, 38 RBIs, 10 doubles, 6 home runs, 15-for-15 in stolen base attempts)
Audra Metz, senior, Rogersville (.427 BA, 7 2Bs, 8 HRs, 35 RBIs, 28 runs, 15 BBs, .775 slugging, .995 fielding percentage)
Kryslyn Colvin, sophomore, Dora (.590 BA, 4 home runs, 34 RBIs, 11 steals. 1 strikeout on the season. Second-team all-state at SS)
Outfield
Kaitlyn Elmer, senior, Kickapoo (.414 BA, 44 runs, .877 OPS, 18-for-19 stolen base attempts, Class 4 first team all-region, unanimous first team All-Ozark Conference)
Morgan Montgomery, junior, Aurora (.535 BA, 1.151 OPS, 24 runs, 32 steals, 2 Ks, first team All-Big 8, first team Class 3 all-region)
Hayley Bledsoe, senior, Rogersville (.479 BA, 17 2Bs, 6 HRs, 44 RBIs, 26 runs, .851 slugging, .981 fielding; 14-6 overall as a pitcher, 2.75 ERA, 111 2/3 IP)
Utility
AnnaMarie McGlone, senior, Bolivar (Class 3 first team all-state pitcher; 20-6 overall, 163 IP, 212 strikeouts, 1.37 ERA, 0.994 WHIP, 32 total earned runs allowed).
