By Amanda Perkins
Last spring, the Mountain Grove Lady Panthers improved upon the previous year’s record to go 15-8 in one of their best seasons yet. They lost to Plato in the district title game, but now move to a new district at Winona and will once again attempt to take their seasoned crew to the postseason.
Lori Hyde is in her third year as the Lady Panthers’ head coach and credits assistant Matt Anderson with the team’s success. He has served alongside Hyde as an integral part of the team’s defensive strategy.
Hyde said she has a strong team full of leaders. “They have always played together,” she said. “Six of the nine are four-year starters, so they really know each other’s temperaments, who can throw a long ball, who needs a cut. They talk really well, their communication is good, and they can usually just tell off of each other’s body language. Everybody backs each other up.”
She added, “I can’t really say one just outshines the other because when one is maybe having an off game, the others pick her up, and you don’t even notice unless you look at the book and the stats.”
The Lady Panthers graduated key players in Colbee Anderson, centerfielder (.385), and Sammie Hutsell, shortstop (.304), in the spring. But skilled Dora move-ins Makenzie (senior) and Tommi (sophomore) Gardner will likely fill these roles, with Makenzie playing shortstop and Tommi centerfielder.
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“Our seniors are not only strong on the field, but academically sound,” said Hyde. “They’ve been named to the all-state academic team for the past three years.”
That intelligence translates to the field, as her players have shown a high game IQ.
Allie Calvillo is the leader behind the plate. “She sees everything,” said Hyde. The four-year starter was hitting .531 with a .600 on base percentage in her junior season and will be looked upon to provide both a defensive and offensive spark once again.
Senior Laci Collins is Grove’s ace, having thrown almost every pitch for the team last season. She will be working to improve her 4.421 ERA.
Avery Lee (.396, first base) and Makenzie Berry (.466, second base) are both four-year starters. Berry may be seen in the outfield in order to utilize her speed and ability to track balls. She led the team in RBIs last year with 25 and had a .551 on-base percentage.
Senior Savannah Smith batted .327 and will likely return to left field, but her speed will be employed on the basepaths as well. Ashton Albrecht rounds out the senior class. After moving to Mountain Grove last season, she started in right field and hit .395 with a .500 on-base percentage.
Sophomore Kadee Shepherd (.395) started at third last year, and now will throw some innings to relieve Laci in the circle. Her time on the rubber will be spent throwing to upcoming catcher Kennason Glenn, freshman. Jenna Cantrell is a move-in from Cabool, and the sophomore should be an asset to the team in hitting. Irelin Bramwell is the final sophomore. The long ball hitter will either play first base or will be seen in the field.
The freshman class includes Savannah Cramer, Jessie Lada, Lorna Felker, and Kennason Glenn. Cramer and Lada have speed, and Felker and Glenn are good utility players who should also see some varsity time.
“Honestly, any of them can play any position,” said Coach Hyde of her Lady Panthers. “It has defined them as a team.”
Coach Hyde has high expectations and expects her team to start strong, ready to play their best ball at district time. “We look to be able to play the long ball and short ball if need be and to play every aspect of the field,” said said. “The main thing I always ask for my girls is to be better today than they were yesterday in every aspect of their lives.”
The Lady Panthers will participate in the Jamboree at Strafford March 15, then officially open their season against Winona on March 17.
