Fall 2017 Preview: Ozark Softball

By Matt Turer — mturer@ky3.com
@MattTurer

After 13 years and nearly 300 wins, Yancey Little ended his run as the head of Ozark softball. Little was named the school’s new athletic director this past June, but two months before that, Ozark had already named a new head coach in Jimmy Nimmo.

Nimmo takes over the most consistently dominant softball program in southwest Missouri. One that this decade alone has won five district championships, made a run to state and has put up at least 20 wins in each season (for a 167-45 record since 2010).

Nimmo isn’t a new name in Ozark. He’s been around the program for a while now and his daughter, Brittany Nimmo, was named the 2014-15 Gatorade Missouri Player of the Year at Ozark and is now a rising junior for the North Carolina State Wolfpack softball program.

As far as recent success, expect it to continue for the Tigers (who won 25 games and a district title in 2016).

“We have a few holes to fill from the loss of three seniors last year, but I think these girls [we have returning] are up the task,” Nimmo said.

“We have many upperclassmen returning with most being starters. I’m not one to throw out lofty goals, but rather look at things on a week-to-week basis. We’ll have a target on our back again this year. I want these girls to always look ahead with their goals in mind and never allow themselves to be overcome by outside pressures. If they do that, they’ll have a successful season.”

The Tigers are going to miss first-team all-conference selections Bre Johnson (SS) and Morgan Doyle, but three all-conference picks are back in Nya Morgan (C), McKenna Harmon (UTIL/DP) and Brooke Pridgen. Morgan hit .433 last season and Harmon .406.

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Pridgen’s pitching and a consistent offense carried Ozark into last year’s Class 4 state quarterfinals where the Tigers were eliminated by state runner-up Blue Springs South. Like last year, the Tigers will go as Pridgen goes. Ozark’s senior had another effective season in 2016, finishing 21-6 with a 2.51 ERA after going 21-5 with a 1.90 ERA in 2015. She’s sort of been an unsung ace in the COC-Large but should be the unquestioned best pitcher in the conference in 2017 with Rachel Rook and Bridget Rippe now graduated.

“Our pitchers have worked hard in the offseason, and my expectations are that they produce the same or better results this season as they did last year,” Nimmo said. “We must keep hitters guessing and keep them off-balance. If they do that, then we have a chance to win several games.”

Nimmo said he has no doubt his offense will produce and expects statistical improvements for all returners.

“Having a gameplan, showing patience and being fundamentally sound will be the goals for them when they step to the plate,” Nimmo said.

“Defensively, we will work hard in practice to find the chemistry that puts it all together. It may take us a while to find the best mix, but I know we have the tools and abilities to make it come together.”

Lily Sullivan (P), Emma Taylor (OF), Aly Faught (1B), Tara McCormack (IF) and Sariah Reed (OF) are also back.

Nimmo said in July that shortstop, second base and center field will be the toughest three positions for him to fill, but he expected underclassmen to step into those voids.

“Our girls have played a lot of softball this summer. On top of our hitting workouts and their summer school fitness class, the vast majority have made huge commits to their summer teams as well,” Nimmo said. “It’s an expectation in our program that our girls play as much softball as they can. Hard work breeds success and our girls work hard. So, I expect good things from them this season.”