By Matt Turer — @MattTurer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
HEAD COACH: Dale Bean
2017 RECORD: 25-1
2017 POSTSEASON: STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: Won 3-0 over Purdy
RETURNING PLAYERS: P/3B Zoey Mullings (Sr.), P/3B Alissa Collette (Sr.), CF Presley Floyd (Sr.), 1B Hayley Frank (Jr.), RF Kayley Frank (Jr.), LF Kaitlyn Vote (Soph.)
The state champion Strafford Indians represent one of the most athletically gifted groups of high school athletes in state history.
Much of this same group of girls that went 25-1 on the way to a spring softball state championship in 2017 are a part of Strafford’s historic girls basketball team with a winning streak of 82 games and three consecutive state championships.
“Winning the state championship has given this program something that you cannot gain from coaching or in a hundred hours of practice,” head coach Dale Bean said. “We’ve gained crucial in-game experience. We’ve learned how to perform under pressure, and when it counts the most. I feel this will be the biggest benefit we can take from last year and use towards this year.”
Strafford’s only loss last season was 6-2 loss to Purdy in the fourth game of the season. The Indians followed that with a 22-game win streak capped with a 3-0 win over Purdy for the title.
In 2018, expect more of the same. The Indians return five all-state selections, including their ace, Zoey Mullings. But like any good title contender, they aren’t looking ahead.
“Our main goal going into this season will be like it is every year: Learn the fundamentals, learn the game, play our hardest and we’ll see where that gets us,” Bean said. “Looking to repeat can be something we look at if we make it to the championship game. Until then, we’ve got some really good teams to prepare for.”
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SOME GOOD TEAMS AND ONE GREAT ONE
While Strafford is preparing for some really good teams, opponents of the Indians are prepping for the champs.
The Indians can beat you everywhere. On the mound with Mullings, at the plate with great depth and a powerful middle of the order, and in the field with disciplined defense.
“I have five [all-state players] that should have the experience and confidence to be the best at their positions in the state,” Bean said. “Offensively and defensively. I’m excited to see how this season plays out for these players and I know they are too.”
AN EXCEPTIONAL TALENT
Mullings was the unofficial Final Four MVP in 2017 after not allowing a single run in the quarterfinals, semifinals or finals. Three wins. Three shutouts. And all at the state level.
For as dominant as she is all the time (2017 stats: 16-1, 95.0 IP, 112 K, 1.55 ERA, 0.90 WHIP), there’s just something next-level about Mullings in big games, whether it’s on the softball diamond or the basketball court. She has a killer instinct and it’s great to watch.
“Zoey has had a great sports career, and she has done it with humbleness and compassion,” Bean said. “I’m confident she will not differ away from who she’s been for us in the past. In fact, I believe she’ll be better.”
As good as she is on the mound, she’s nearly as good with the bat. The senior hit .462 with 20 extra-base hits and a 1.360 OPS.
Bean expects her last run to be special before she begins her collegiate basketball career at Drury University.
“Often you’ll see some seniors put too much pressure on themselves and it can interfere with them playing relaxed and playing to their full potential,” Bean said. “She’ll need to stay away from trying to do too much and just trust where she’s been and how she got there, and she’ll be fantastic.
“It hasn’t been fun playing our last summer games with her, or seeing her play her last regular season basketball game. It won’t be fun seeing her take the mound for the first, last time this spring, but we’re excited to see her move on to the next phase of her career.”
LINEUP DEPTH AND POWER
Understanding Strafford’s dangerously consistent middle of the order starts and ends with this Bean quote: “Any time you can write a Frank, Mullings, Collette or Floyd down in your lineup card, there’s a feeling of relief there.”
Collette put up the best contact numbers of any Strafford hitter last season with a .514 average. She also posted a 1.72 ERA over 44.2 IP (50 K) and will see similar innings on the mound this year.
Hayley (.434 AVG.) and Kayley (.351 AVG.) both hit and fielded their way to all-state selections and Floyd showed consistency at .346. Vote hit .278 last season but should see a jump from her sophomore to junior year.
“We’re looking to Hayley, Kayley and Presley to rise to the next level offensively and be just as dangerous as anyone in our lineup,” Bean said.
Bean pointed to newcomers Taylor Treat (INF), Maria Comstock (INF), Logan Jones (OF) and Emma Johnson (P/INF) as potential new faces ready to make an impact.
