By Matt Turer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Team: Mt. Vernon Mountaineers
Coach: Matt Schubert
2019 Results: 21-11 (Lost 5-4 to Kennett in Class 1 semi-finals)
Opening Day 2020: March 24 vs. Clever (Mt. Vernon Tournament)
Recapping 2019
The Mountaineers surged to the state semifinals last season for the third time in the program’s seven-year history, falling 5-4 to eventual state runner-up Kennett. In the third-place game, Mt. Vernon lost 2-1 to Potosi.
To get there, head coach Matt Schubert’s group cruised through district play, combining to punish opponents 24-0 over the three games–including a 10-0 district title clincher over Miller. The Mountaineers followed that title up with a 16-1 sectional win over Greenfield and a 2-0 state quarterfinals win against a 24-win Purdy team.
Schubert believes that success can be repeated in 2020.
“With the pitching we have, we’re a team that can be successful,” Schubert said of a group of arms that includes 2019 First Team All-State selection Katelyn Kotlarz, senior Kassidy Anderson and freshman Harley Daniels.
“We’ve put together a challenging schedule that will get us ready for the postseason. Our goal every year is to get to the district championship game. From there, anything can happen.”
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Looking Ahead to 2020
Mt. Vernon returns two of its five all-district selections in 3B Raegan Prescott and Kotlarz.
Kotlarz started 23 of her team’s 32 games in the circle on the way to a 16-7 record, 1.71 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 222 strikeouts in 147.0 innings. With her 103rd strikeout this spring, she will become the school’s all-time strikeout leader.
“The importance of having a shut-down pitcher in softball is huge,” Schubert said. “It gives you the chance to win every game no matter how your offense does. I think Katelyn can have a special year.”
Kotlarz will also bat near the top of the lineup after hitting .318 with four doubles, two triples, two home runs and 23 RBIs in 2019.
Prescott will be back in the top half of the lineup with Kotlarz after batting .333 last season (.423 OBP) with three extra-base hits, 28 runs and 14 RBIs.
“I look for Raegan to add power this year to an ever-improving ability to hit,” Schubert said. “She had a very strong finish [to 2019] and has picked up where she left off this winter.”
The Mountaineers return seven others from last year’s state semifinal team beyond Prescott and Kotlarz. Below are those players sorted by games played with comments from Schubert:
– SS Hadley Cornell (32 G, .297 AVG., 19 RBI, 11 SB): “Improved a great deal defensively at shortstop as the year (2019) went along. She could see time in the leadoff spot this year.”
– 1B Kassidy Anderson (31 G, .295 AVG., 18 RBI): “Kassidy will step into playing first after being our DP the last two years. She’ll be a constant in the middle of the lineup with Prescott.”
– 2B Raelin Swillum (24 G, .323 AVG.): “She’s a very good defender at second base. Raelin was a middle and late-game defensive specialist last season and a player that will add speed to the back-end of the lineup with her ability to slap.”
– OF Emilee Smith (20 G, .231 AVG.): “Emilee was mainly used as a pinch-runner and pinch-hitter last year, but she could step into one of our three vacant outfield positions and provides the team with speed.”
– OF Tasha Collins (17 G, 13 R): “Tasha was also used primarily as a pinch-runner last year. She’s a very good bunter with speed and could step into a vacant outfield spot.”
– C Kennley Weaver (12 G): “Kennley returns to catch after starting 12 games last year. She has a strong arm and provides a good target for our pitchers.”
– OF Sierra Wertz (4 G): “We used Sierra as a pinch-runner last season, but she could see time as an outfielder as well in 2020. She’s a good baserunner with speed.”
New additions include OF Chloe Faucett, OF Madalyn Burk, OF Josey McChesney, OF Hannah Varburg, OF/INF Kenna Schatte, OF/2B Jessah Anderson, C/U/OF Allie Schubert, and P/1B/DP Harley Daniels.
Program Milestone
If the Mountaineers can pull off a 26-win season, it will be the program’s (and Schubert’s) 150th win since its inaugural 2013 season.
“We had one of the best summers since our program began, and we’ve had large numbers at our open gyms since the start of January,” Schubert said. “I think we could have a very special year.”
