Waynesville duo wields big bats and a well-traveled past

Students from military families make up much of the student body at Waynesville High School, but it was sheer coincidence that the two had both lived in Germany by the time they were teammates.

“(My family) lived on top of a baker and when we would come down every morning they would have pastries for us,” said Loggins. “When I was little I remember working back in the meat section.”

How exactly did she do this as a young girl?

“I would eat it… all the meat!”

While Loggins was born in Fort Leonard Wood, bouncing from Texas to Germany and back to Missouri, it took until Poinsette was just shy of high school age to land in Waynesville.

“I wasn’t used to it because there was not much around, but I love it here now,” said Poinsette. “Plus, the softball program is great.”

The senior-junior duo is a big reason for that. They possess two of the most efficient bats in the Ozarks, combining for 62 RBI, nine home runs, and 33 stolen bases in 2016, while both posted averages above .500.

They chat whenever they can during games, swapping pointers near the on-deck circle or flashing calls across the infield. Teammates hoot as they flaunt their personal handshake before first pitch.

“We have the same mindset. We both want to win,” said Loggins. “We’re very competitive with each other and we want to push each other harder.”

Each one also holds down a high-profile position.  Loggins was once a pitcher like her brother, Dustin, who spent time in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization after a stellar career at College of the Ozarks. In her words, she “got lazy” practicing her pitching and decided to receive those tosses behind the plate as a catcher instead.

Poinsette is a natural outfielder, but possesses the versatility of a five-tool player. She can anchor shortstop when the infield needs a boost.

“Honestly, it’s just talking it up because I know I have to keep my players motivated and keep them in the game, she said. “Even if someone does something wrong, just pick them up.”

Poinsette gleaned that leader mentality from Loggins from the time they entered in high school.

“(Loggins) is very…what’s the word? Spontaneous! She knows when to take control of the field and I love that about her. She doesn’t mean to come off rude or anything, she just knows what she wants at that time.”

They act like captains too. Poinsette reached base with two walks and by being struck by a pitch in last week’s 8-7 comeback win over Hillcrest. Loggins drove her home in her first two at-bats.

They should prove to be a headache for any opposing pitcher and a reason to not sleep on the Lady Tigers in the Ozark Conference.