By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Kickapoo softball heads into the fall campaign with high expectations.
While the Lady Chiefs posted back-to-back 21-win seasons in 2017-18, both ended with a district loss to eventual champion, Ozark.
Head Coach Jason Howser hopes to continue building on recent success and track down the program’s first district title since 2015.
Graduates Carlee Wolfe (1B – 33 RBI) and Chloe Bowen (3B – .525 BA, 31 RBI, .545 OBP) have both moved on. Bowen is set to continue her softball career at North Arkansas College this fall.
Despite the corner infield holes, Kickapoo will enter the fall season with seven returning starters to a young varsity lineup.
A pair of juniors are poised to set the tone for the Lady Chiefs.
Shortstop Chloe Merced led the team in home runs (7), triples (4), runs scored (46), stolen bases (20/20) and slugging percentage (.825).
“Chloe will take more of a leadership role this season,” Howser said. “Her athleticism is fun to watch on the diamond.”
In the circle, Ellie Facklam (142 IP, 19-6, 2.65 ERA, 72K) enters her third year on the varsity staff. Howser expects to lean on Facklam’s leadership role, as well.
Kickapoo’s other returning starters include sophomore catcher Kate Pierce (.385 BA), junior center fielder Maggie McKee (.317 BA), sophomore second baseman Megan Dancey, sophomore outfielder Bella Williams (.294 BA) and senior infielder Kenzie Walker (set to move to first this fall).
Howser also expects a trio of varsity newcomers to challenge for playing time and make an impact this season, including senior pitcher Bri Mumm, senior outfielder Lida Nguyen and junior utility player McKenna Fink.
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For the Lady Chiefs to make a postseason run this season, Howser stressed the need to play better defense.
“We must be able to get out of innings without allowing them to turn into crooked numbers,” Howser said. “We fielded at a .920 pace last fall, which must improve.”
The continued emergence of Facklam should provide some relief to that end.
“Ellie is not afraid of work,” Howser said. “We are very excited to see her growth and maturity in the circle. As a coach, I have to do a better job of making sure she gets enough rest throughout the season so she is at her peak come districts.”
Munn gives the Lady Chiefs another arm in the circle and an option to spell Facklam when needed.
At the plate, Howser believes balance will be Kickapoo’s calling card and feels the bottom-order development is a key factor.
“I think we will be able to hit one through nine in our lineup,” Howser said. “We will have some team speed this season as well. Offensively – seven, eight, nine … can we produce in that part of our lineup?”
Following a Monett-hosted jamboree with Webb City and Willard, Kickapoo will open its season at home against Nixa on Aug. 30.
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